Focus (linguistics)
In generative linguistics, focus determines which part of the sentence contributes new or non-derivable information. Focus is related to information structure. Contrastive focus specifically refers to the coding of information that is contrary to the presuppositions of the interlocutor.
Related terms include Comment and Rheme.
Read more about Focus (linguistics): Generative Approaches
Famous quotes containing the word focus:
“Why is it so difficult—so degradingly difficult—to bring the notion of Time into mental focus and keep it there for inspection? What an effort, what fumbling, what irritating fatigue!”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)