Spotlight / Focus
What is the most important new information?
Betekenis
The part of the message that carries the main emphasis, contrast, correction, or answer to the current question.
Zo herken je het
Ask which part would be stressed or corrected in context.
Voorbeelden
only|even|it was|not X but Y
it was Anna who|ANNA did it|only Peter
Anna bought the book, not Peter.
Visual guide
Message = background + focus Who bought the book? background: bought the book FOCUS: Anna Anna bought the book. = Anna, not Peter
Same focus, many shapes Stress: ANNA did it Cleft: it was Anna who... Particle: only Peter Contrast: not X but Y Word order/focus slot may mark it Task: find the spotlight
Taaloverzicht
In je moedertaal
Focus can be marked by stress, fronting, particles or cleft-like patterns.
Dat boek heb ik gelezen.
That book have I read.
In de taal die je leert
English uses stress, cleft sentences, fronting, and context to mark focus.
It was John who called.
John = focused information
Learners may use word order alone where English would use stress, clefts, or clearer wording.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.