What does the term "Topicalization" refer to in sentence structure?

Topicalization refers to the linguistic process of rearranging a sentence to highlight or emphasize the subject or a specific part of the sentence, making it the focal point of the discourse. This adjustment allows the speaker or writer to draw the listener's or reader's attention to that specific element, improving clarity and engagement with the information presented.

For example, in the sentence “As for the party, I will attend,” the phrase “As for the party” is topicalized, emphasizing that the focus is on the subject related to the party. This technique is particularly important in both spoken and signed language, as it aids in the organization of thoughts and facilitates better communication.

Other options, while related to sentence structure, do not accurately capture the essence of topicalization. Changing the order of words may happen in various contexts but does not necessarily imply a focus on the subject. Making a sentence a question transforms its purpose rather than emphasizing a particular topic, and providing negation alters the meaning without the intent to highlight a specific subject. Thus, the core definition of topicalization is best represented by its ability to use a subject to create focus in a sentence.