Predication markers in Basque
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Luis Eguren
Abstract
In this paper I give a new account of the nature and distribution of the suffix -a(k) that occurs with individual-level predicate nouns and adjectives in Basque. I first critically go through previous analyses that take this affix – which is homophonous of the Basque definite article – to be either number agreement or a non-referential determiner, and then argue that the affix -a(k) on nominal predicates with a predicative reading is a pronominal-like predication marker. This proposal does not encounter the problems other proposals have to face, and helps us explain why this suffix only combines with individual-level nominal predicates, and is absent in stage-level predicates.
Abstract
In this paper I give a new account of the nature and distribution of the suffix -a(k) that occurs with individual-level predicate nouns and adjectives in Basque. I first critically go through previous analyses that take this affix – which is homophonous of the Basque definite article – to be either number agreement or a non-referential determiner, and then argue that the affix -a(k) on nominal predicates with a predicative reading is a pronominal-like predication marker. This proposal does not encounter the problems other proposals have to face, and helps us explain why this suffix only combines with individual-level nominal predicates, and is absent in stage-level predicates.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Introduction 1
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Part I. DPs and quantification
- The DP Hypothesis in the grammar of Basque 21
- The way the definite determiner affects quantifiers in Basque (and beyond) 79
- An overview of Basque measure phrases 111
- Number agreement in Basque 149
- Synchronic ubiquity of the Basque article -a: A look from diachrony 179
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Part II. Nominal expressions and predicative configurations
- Genitive case and multiple checking in Basque 209
- Predication markers in Basque 243
- Word order in Basque determiner phrases 267
- Denominal necessity modals in Basque 283
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Part III. Clausal nominalizations
- Basque nominalizations and the role of structural Case in the licensing of null arguments 333
- Structural dependency and interpretation in Basque nominalized clauses 375
- Perception verb complements in Basque 397
- A continuum of deficiency for Basque infinitives 437
- Language index 461
- Subject index 463
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. DPs and quantification
- The DP Hypothesis in the grammar of Basque 21
- The way the definite determiner affects quantifiers in Basque (and beyond) 79
- An overview of Basque measure phrases 111
- Number agreement in Basque 149
- Synchronic ubiquity of the Basque article -a: A look from diachrony 179
-
Part II. Nominal expressions and predicative configurations
- Genitive case and multiple checking in Basque 209
- Predication markers in Basque 243
- Word order in Basque determiner phrases 267
- Denominal necessity modals in Basque 283
-
Part III. Clausal nominalizations
- Basque nominalizations and the role of structural Case in the licensing of null arguments 333
- Structural dependency and interpretation in Basque nominalized clauses 375
- Perception verb complements in Basque 397
- A continuum of deficiency for Basque infinitives 437
- Language index 461
- Subject index 463
