4.1.5. Focus doublings
In DGS, elements such as pronouns [Lexicon 3.7], wh-words [Syntax 1.2.3.2], modal verbs, negative elements [Syntax 1.5.1.1], but also certain nouns [Lexicon 3.1] and verbs [Lexicon 3.2] can be doubled sentence finally.
emma can swim can
‘Emma really can swim.’
The sentence-final position is associated with a focus position and thus, doubling may be used to mark a certain information as new or highlighted. For instance, in wh-interrogatives [Syntax 1.2.3], doubling of wh-elements is perceived as an emphatically marked question in DGS [Pragmatics 4.1.4]. Still, doubling alone is not a mere indicator of focus.
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant Agreement No 693349.