LINGUIST List 15.1380

Mon May 3 2004

Diss: Syntax: Dalmi: 'The Role of AGRP ...'

Editor for this issue: Tomoko Okuno <tomokolinguistlist.org>

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1. grete, The Role of AGRP in Non-finite Predication

Institution: E�tv�s Lor�nd University
Program: Theoretical Linguistics Programme
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2002

Author: Grete Anna Dalmi

Dissertation Title: The Role of AGRP in Non-finite Predication

Linguistic Field: Syntax

Dissertation Director: Michael Brody


Dissertation Abstract:

This dissertation is a comparative syntactic study. Comparative syntax
has developed from the so-called Principles & Parameters version
of generative theory.

The main claims of this dissertation are:

1.Predication is a bi-unique monadic relation holding between the
predicate and its thematically and aspectually most prominent argument
(typically the subject) in a clause. A predicate can only be licensed
by a single argument and an argument can license only a single
predicate within the clause. In the VSO type of languages, which allow
null subjects, it is the verbal agreement morphology that qualifies as
the most prominent argument (cf. Alaxiadou & Anagnostopoulou 1998).

2.Finite and non-finite predication cannot be deduced from the
presence or absence of tense marking, realized as T(ense)P. Likewise,
TP alone cannot be made responsible for the nominative case of the
subject or for the absence of it.

3. Predication relation must be licensed in finite, non-finite and
small clauses alike. This is stated as the Predication Licensing
Principle (PLP):

Predication Licensing Principle
Each predicate must license its [+pred] feature in spec-head or
head-head configuration within the clause.