LINGUIST List 15.1380

Mon May 3 2004

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

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

Directory

  • grete, The Role of AGRP in Non-finite Predication

    Message 1: The Role of AGRP in Non-finite Predication

     Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 07:27:11 -0400 (EDT)
    From: grete <greteaxelero.hu>
    Subject: 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 &amp; 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.