The fine structure of low topics in Najdi Arabic

Abstract This article explores the low IP area of Najdi Arabic, with special reference to a construction involving post-verbal object that is resumed on verb (as in ‘The man saw-her woman’). We provide evidence topic such cases. However, position masked by movement T0 or, some cases (if lexically filled) head Focus Phrase. also Arabic topics exclusively express given, accessible information (i.e., familiar topics), which found be prominent characteristic distinguishes them from high (in CP domain). High are shown ambiguous respect their specific discourse-informational value (aboutness/shifting vs. contrastiveness familiarity). Additionally, we offer recursive, dominated Phrase (FocP > TopP*). At general level, study demonstrates more restrictive informational content than previously believed.