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where the blank is the Core Topic position to which an
argument can be topicalized. This is in line with the
position given in Durie (1982) .
It is always difficult to avoid a controversy in
determining Acehnese word order because constituents in
Acehnese sentences can be moved rather easily. However, I
think there are several reasons in favor of SVO word order.
First, from an intonation point of view, sentences with SVO
word order seem to be basic. In this type of sentence,
intonation moves smoothly from one level to another, whereas
in sentences that begin with verbs, the intonation is more
like the intonation of sentences with topicalization. This
is also reported in Durie (1985: 197). Durie noted that in
sentences with no Core Topic (Durie's term), the predicate
phrase often bears an intonation peak, but after such a
predicate phrase there is a much sharper drop in intonation
than after a Core Topic. This is shown by two sentences
together with the intonation from Durie, copied here as (1)
and (2) and glossed in the method used here.
1. Ka geu-woe gopnyan. (8-88)
PERF 3r-go-home her
'He has gone home.'
2. Carongxtfnat gopnyan. (8-90)
Clever very her
'He is very clever.'