The universal force of (strict) negative concord
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Petr Rossyaykin
Abstract
In this paper I focus on the data from Eurasian languages and argue for the following interrelated points: (I) the distinction between strict and non-strict negative concord (NC) is not reducible to any external parametric variation; different types of NC involve inherently different items, which should be delinked from each other rather than fall under a unified analysis. (II) Instead, negative concord items (NCIs) in strict NC should be regarded as a subspecies of non-negative wh-based items with universal force, which are especially common in the languages of Asia. (III) The universal force of NCIs, non-negative universals and some other constructions is contributed by a scalar-additive particle (mo-particle), apparently the same item in all the languages in question. (IV) If NCIs are analyzed as universals outscoping negation, NC is functionally motivated as it grammaticalizes the Neg-First principle. (V) NCIs of the relevant type (wh-stem + a scalar-additive particle) syntactically agree with a negation marker but all other NCIs are not involved in syntactic agreement with negation.
Abstract
In this paper I focus on the data from Eurasian languages and argue for the following interrelated points: (I) the distinction between strict and non-strict negative concord (NC) is not reducible to any external parametric variation; different types of NC involve inherently different items, which should be delinked from each other rather than fall under a unified analysis. (II) Instead, negative concord items (NCIs) in strict NC should be regarded as a subspecies of non-negative wh-based items with universal force, which are especially common in the languages of Asia. (III) The universal force of NCIs, non-negative universals and some other constructions is contributed by a scalar-additive particle (mo-particle), apparently the same item in all the languages in question. (IV) If NCIs are analyzed as universals outscoping negation, NC is functionally motivated as it grammaticalizes the Neg-First principle. (V) NCIs of the relevant type (wh-stem + a scalar-additive particle) syntactically agree with a negation marker but all other NCIs are not involved in syntactic agreement with negation.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction 1
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Section 1: General theoretical issues
- Negative concord: the first 133 years 9
- Negindefinites and negative concord: concepts, terms and analyses 53
- Negative concord and TAM: a new perspective 77
- Non-strict negative concord: a correlate of focus movement? 107
- The universal force of (strict) negative concord 123
- N-words: in defence of wide scope. A view from Romanian 149
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Section 2: Perspectives on variation
- Negative concord in Medieval Greek: lexical asymmetry and the role of correlative negation 175
- What does the linear position of negative concord items tell us about their properties? 207
- Grammar or error? Non-compositional (expletive/paratactic) negation in Dutch sentences with zonder ‘without’ 239
- Two negatives in Tyneside English questions: negative concord or double negation? 269
- Less formal and more rebellious — An experiment on the social meaning of negative concord in American English 303
- Subject index 333
- Language index 337
- Name index 341
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction 1
-
Section 1: General theoretical issues
- Negative concord: the first 133 years 9
- Negindefinites and negative concord: concepts, terms and analyses 53
- Negative concord and TAM: a new perspective 77
- Non-strict negative concord: a correlate of focus movement? 107
- The universal force of (strict) negative concord 123
- N-words: in defence of wide scope. A view from Romanian 149
-
Section 2: Perspectives on variation
- Negative concord in Medieval Greek: lexical asymmetry and the role of correlative negation 175
- What does the linear position of negative concord items tell us about their properties? 207
- Grammar or error? Non-compositional (expletive/paratactic) negation in Dutch sentences with zonder ‘without’ 239
- Two negatives in Tyneside English questions: negative concord or double negation? 269
- Less formal and more rebellious — An experiment on the social meaning of negative concord in American English 303
- Subject index 333
- Language index 337
- Name index 341
