Work

External merge in spec, CP : Complementizers projecting an argument

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: The standard assumption that spec,CP is always an A′ position has been questioned for several languages where embedded C heads are involved in agreement and case assignment; however, the idea that no XP can be introduced in spec,CP by external merge has remained unchallenged. The article presents novel data from control phenomena in Mari (Uralic; nominative, SOV) and argues that, in this language, a particular type of C head is capable of thematically licensing an overt argument externally merged in spec,CP: the complementizer manən used in infinitival complement clauses projects a dative goal of communication. This behavior of manən follows from its dual nature: it is a semigrammaticalized verb ‘say’ that retains some lexical characteristics. I further suggest that the dative goal can be considered an overt realization of the addressee discourse variable, in line with the recent work on the presence of speaker, addressee, and logophoric center in syntax.

Source: Syntax

DOI: 10.1111/synt.12246

Author: Irina Burukina

Institutions: Eötvös Loránd University, ELTE Research Centre for Linguistics

Language: English

Topic: Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,850

Funders: Nemzeti Kutatási Fejlesztési és Innovációs Hivatal, Innovációs és Technológiai Minisztérium, University of California, San Diego