Split intransitivity : thematic roles, case and agreement
This dissertation is an extended argument for the syntactic structure proposed in (1), referred to as the 'VICTR Hierarchy' after the initials of the five functional heads it comprises: (1) [VolitionP Volition [InitiationP Initiation [ConsecutionP Consecution [TransitionP Transition [ResultP Result [VP ] ] ] ] ] ] The VICTR Hierarchy is a hierarchy of functional heads corresponding to the part of the clause generally known in the minimalist literature as 'vP' or the 'thematic domain'. Nominal arguments are merged in the specifiers of one or more of these heads and receive their thematic interpretations on the basis of their merged positions. Evidence for a model of thematic roles and syntactic argument structure based in the VICTR Hierarchy is presented for a range of domains, with a focus on 'split intransitivity'. Split intransitivity is explored initially in regard to English, with close consideration of a range of split intransitive diagnostics (e.g. 'out'-prefixation, the resultative construction); a VICTR account of these patterns is presented. A VICTR account of auxiliary selection patterns in Western European languages is also given. This is followed by analysis of split intransitive case and agreement
Baker, James Samuel
linguistics ; syntax ; unaccusativity ; split intransitivity ; thematic roles ; case ; agreement ; ergativity ; alignment ; split-S ; argument structure
Split intransitivity : thematic roles, case and agreement. This dissertation is an extended argument for the syntactic structure proposed in (1), referred to as the 'VICTR Hierarchy' after the initials of the five functional heads it comprises: (1) [VolitionP Volition [InitiationP Initiation [ConsecutionP Consecution [TransitionP Transition [ResultP Result [VP ] ] ] ] ] ] The VICTR Hierarchy is a hierarchy of functional heads corresponding to the part of the clause generally known in the minimalist literature as 'vP' or the 'thematic domain'. Nominal arguments are merged in the specifiers of one or more of these heads and receive their thematic interpretations on the basis of their merged positions. Evidence for a model of thematic roles and syntactic argument structure based in the VICTR Hierarchy is presented for a range of domains, with a focus on 'split intransitivity'. Split intransitivity is explored initially in regard to English, with close consideration of a range of split intransitive diagnostics (e.g. 'out'-prefixation, the resultative construction); a VICTR account of these patterns is presented. A VICTR account of auxiliary selection patterns in Western European languages is also given. This is followed by analysis of split intransitive case and agreement
split thematic_role case agreement extend argument syntactic_structure propose refer hierarchy initial functional_head comprises volition initiation transition hierarchy hierarchy functional_head correspond part clause generally know minimalist literature thematic domain nominal argument merge specifier head receive thematic interpretation basis merge position evidence model thematic_role syntactic argument_structure base hierarchy present range domain focus split split explore initially regard english close consideration range split intransitive diagnostics out resultative construction account pattern present account auxiliary selection pattern western_european languages also_give follow analysis split intransitive case agreement