Introduction: Linearization in Functional Discourse Grammar

This introductory chapter serves to provide a background to the chap-ters that follow, which develop the Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG) approach to linearization. A unique characteristic of FDG is that the placement rules that govern morphosyntax obey the instructions of the Interpersonal (pragmatic) and Representational (semantic) Levels in a top-down, functionally oriented fashion. The chapter accordingly provides an outline of the theory, followed by a considera-tion of FDG’s position in the current hierarchy vs linearity debate in linguistics, psy-cholinguistics and artificial intelligence. FDG contributes to this debate by demon-strating that linearization is driven by functional needs. This leads to an overview of the operation of the placement rules at the clause, phrase and word layers which demonstrates and exemplifies the distinctive features of the FDG approach to lin-earization: (a) a typology based on absolute and relative positions rather than S, V and O; (b) the recognition of the need for often substantial look-ahead in the order-ing of constituents; (c) the iconicity present in the extent to which hierarchical rela-tions at the Interpersonal and Representational Levels are reflected in linear order; (d) the use of a single set of ordering principles at all layers of morphosyntactic organization. The final section presents the various contributions to this volume, situating them within the broader context laid out in the preceding sections.