Work

Restructuring and the scope of negation in Hindi-Urdu

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: In Hindi-Urdu, a negation which seems to be inside an infinitival complement can have effects typical of a matrix negation, e.g., NPI licensing in the matrix. We show that this exceptional behavior of negation is only possible with restructuring infinitives. We argue that the infinitival V moves out of the restructuring infinitive and into the matrix, and that it forms a cluster with the main verb. This movement makes the negative marker appear to belong to the embedded clause, when in fact it is in the matrix, and behaves as a matrix negation (in terms of scope and other tests). We thus have a new criterion for restructuring in Hindi-Urdu, alongside Long Distance Agreement. The existence of these two criteria allows us to explore the diversity of restructuring complements in Hindi-Urdu and show that the optionality of Long Distance Agreement is not tied to the optionality of restructuring.

Source: Glossa a journal of general linguistics

DOI: 10.5334/gjgl.927

Authors: Vincent Homer, Rajesh Bhatt

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Language: English

Topic: Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $551

Funder: University of Massachusetts Amherst