6533b7dcfe1ef96bd1273115
RESEARCH PRODUCT
The use of gerunds and infinitives in perceptive constructions
Jan Casalicchiosubject
Generative syntax Romance linguistics secondary predication ECM-constructions overt non-finite subjectsECM-constructionsRomance linguisticssecondary predicationovert non-finite subjectsGenerative syntax Romance linguistics secondary predication ECM-constructions overt non-finite subjectsGenerative syntaxSettore L-LIN/01 - Glottologia E Linguisticadescription
In this article I compare the use of gerunds with perceptive verbs in Spanish and in Gardenese, a Rhaeto-Romance variety spoken in Northern Italy: perceptive gerunds are used as secondary predicates in Spanish, but as defective TP-complements in Gardenese. Following Rizzi’s (2014) account of parametric variation, I propose that the differences are due to the interplay of three parameters: a [+progressive] feature on Gardenese perception verbs, the pure lexical status of perception verbs in Gardenese and a [+Agreement] feature on Spanish gerunds. The discussion of the parameters involved leads to more general considerations, as a new proposal for the structure of perceptive ECMs in Romance, the confirmation of Folli/Harley’s (2007) analysis of Romance causative constructions and the necessity of both the [+Agreement] and the [+Tense] feature in order to allow nominative non-finite subjects. The comparison with other Romance varieties confirms the role played by this parametric variation in perceptive constructions.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-01-01 |