Functions of word order and intonation in information structuring in Puyuma

This paper presents the first results of analyzing the functions of intonation and word order in Puyuma. Puyuma is an endangered Austronesian language spoken in Taiwan. As other languages of this branch, Puyuma is verb initial and displays variations in word order, so that VOS, SVO and VSO are attested. The aim of our study is to explain these word variations. We investigate the connection between information structure, word order and intonation in three Formosan languages: Puyuma, Seediq and Bunun. We show that in Puyuma information structure is reflected in word order while the main function of intonation is to cue phrasing. The study is performed on semi-spontaneous speech