A study of topic and focus in simple Persian sentences based on the lexical-functional grammar approach

The current study investigated the topic and focus in simple Persian sentences using a descriptive-analytical method within the framework of lexical-functional grammar proposed by Bresnan et al. (2016) based on the endocentric and exocentric structure of Persian. According to the findings, during the process of topicalization and focalization in simple sentences, the NP with the subject function, the NP with the object function (with "ra"), and the PP with the oblique function in the c-structure are placed in the specifier of IP, and there is no need to consider empty categories in their canonical position because the nominal predication of the mentioned phrases, moreover, receives its grammatical function exocentrically through morphological components and also receives a discourse function in the f-structure, and the well-formedness conditions are observed in this way. Also, the NP with an object function (without "ra") is placed in the specifier of IP during focalization, but because it lacks morphological components to receive the grammatical function and depends on the position endocentrically, an empty category based on the principle of economy is considered in the complement position of the verb in the c-structure, so that the well-formedness conditions are observed through inside-out functional application in the f-structure.