Topicalization in ASL is associated with which word order?

Topicalization in ASL is associated with which word order?

• A. OSV
• B. SVO
• C. SOV
• D. VSO

Answer: (A)

Topicalization means bringing the topic of discussion to the front of the clause, signaling that this information is already known or being emphasized. In ASL, this fronting typically results in an OSV order: the object (the topic) comes first, followed by the subject, then the verb. So when the topic is the object, you’d sign it first, then the subject, then the action, as in a sequence like “BOOK, I READ.” This fronted object aligns with how ASL marks topics and keeps the remaining information as the comment about that topic. Other orders would not place the topic at the front, so they don’t reflect topicalization in ASL as cleanly.

Topicalization means bringing the topic of discussion to the front of the clause, signaling that this information is already known or being emphasized. In ASL, this fronting typically results in an OSV order: the object (the topic) comes first, followed by the subject, then the verb. So when the topic is the object, you’d sign it first, then the subject, then the action, as in a sequence like “BOOK, I READ.” This fronted object aligns with how ASL marks topics and keeps the remaining information as the comment about that topic. Other orders would not place the topic at the front, so they don’t reflect topicalization in ASL as cleanly.