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definitions of subjects. Due to these facts, di, agreement
clitics, as well as word order considerations are not
incorporated into the definitions of subjects that are given
here. However, it should be noted that agreement clitics and
di are very important elements, and maybe the only elements
other than semantic considerations, that can be used in
finding subjects in written texts. The definitions that are
given here are formulated in terms of intonation. Intonation
seems to be the only consistent element that can determine
subjects in all types of word order.
68. Definitions of Subject:
[i] In all sentences beginning with an NP, the subject
is the initial NP if the basic intonation pattern
of these sentences is as described in 3.2.1, that
is, the primary intonation peak rises on the last
syllable of the first NP.
[ii] In all sentences that end with an NP or two NP's
in succession (which may be followed by some other
elements), the subject is the last NP if the basic
intonation pattern of these sentences is as
described in 3.2.3, that is, the intonation rises
. on the verb or the NP before the last NP and falls
sharply to low on the last NP.
[iii] In sentences of the form NP-NP-VP, the subject is
the first NP if the basic intonation pattern is the