Crossing the Borders between Meter, Syntax and Information Structure. Some Methodological Notes

Abstract

This paper discusses how combining research in meter, syntax and information structure can enhance our understanding of the syntax of a given historical text and help provide insights into the relation between metrical prominence and information structure. The contribution illustrates two case studies conducted on historical English texts: the Old English Beowulf and the Early Middle English Ormulum. I argue that integrating an investigation of meter into the study of both information structure and syntax can refine the methodological tools available to the historical linguist and philologist.