A phi-agreement constraint on subject extraction in Finnish
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Saara Huhmarniemi
Abstract
This paper examines the constraints on subject extraction in Finnish. It is proposed that phi-agreement between the subject and the predicate introduces a freezing effect for the subject argument in a variety of constructions in Finnish. In addition, it is shown that Finnish subject freezing cannot be accounted for by relying on case-assignment or movement to the subject position. Finnish data therefore support the hypothesis that subject extraction is sensitive to subject agreement morphology (e.g. Richards 2001, Boeckx 2003). However, this proposal requires two additional assumptions: first, that the Agree-relation may take place covertly for some subject arguments, and second, that phi-concord does not have a freezing effect.
Abstract
This paper examines the constraints on subject extraction in Finnish. It is proposed that phi-agreement between the subject and the predicate introduces a freezing effect for the subject argument in a variety of constructions in Finnish. In addition, it is shown that Finnish subject freezing cannot be accounted for by relying on case-assignment or movement to the subject position. Finnish data therefore support the hypothesis that subject extraction is sensitive to subject agreement morphology (e.g. Richards 2001, Boeckx 2003). However, this proposal requires two additional assumptions: first, that the Agree-relation may take place covertly for some subject arguments, and second, that phi-concord does not have a freezing effect.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Reanalysis in Hungarian comparative subclauses 5
- Silent people 33
- Clausal Coordinate Ellipsis (CCE) in Hungarian compared to CCE in Dutch, German, and Estonian 45
- Pseudoclefts in Hungarian 67
- Focus, exhaustivity and the syntax of Wh -interrogatives 97
- A phi-agreement constraint on subject extraction in Finnish 133
- Remarks on a novel LFG approach to spatial particle verb constructions in Hungarian 149
- Resultative passives in Finnish 179
- Discourse new, focused, and given 199
- Harmony that cannot be represented 229
- Index 253
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- Reanalysis in Hungarian comparative subclauses 5
- Silent people 33
- Clausal Coordinate Ellipsis (CCE) in Hungarian compared to CCE in Dutch, German, and Estonian 45
- Pseudoclefts in Hungarian 67
- Focus, exhaustivity and the syntax of Wh -interrogatives 97
- A phi-agreement constraint on subject extraction in Finnish 133
- Remarks on a novel LFG approach to spatial particle verb constructions in Hungarian 149
- Resultative passives in Finnish 179
- Discourse new, focused, and given 199
- Harmony that cannot be represented 229
- Index 253
