Scrambling in Mazandarani Dialect

Scrambling has been investigated syntactically and discursively in different languages so far. The results of this research indicate that scrambling is governed by universal principles and constraints as well as language-specific characteristics (parameters). This research indicates that all kinds of scrambling, namely, short-distance scrambling, long-distance scrambling and multiple scrambling occur in Mazandarani dialect. The fundamental functions of scrambling in discourse change the distribution of theme and rheme and also the distribution of old and new information. The behavior of short-distance scrambling indicates that the movement of constituents in scrambling is subject to discourse principles and information structure, but scrambled constituents in the long-distance scrambling are dependent on syntactic factors and minimalistic principles in addition to discourse principles. In other words, we observed that there is an interface between discourse and syntax, especially minimalism, and there is congruence between the results of this research and achievements of linguists in different linguistic modules. Investigation of the syntactic and discursive behaviors of scrambling in Mazandarani dialect is the main purpose of this research.