On the syntax of the accusative/dative alternation in spatial PPs in Norwegian dative dialects
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Tor A. Åfarli
Abstract
This paper investigates the systematic alternations between accusative and dative case that is found with spatial prepositions in Norwegian dative dialects. This case alternation is correlated with directional and locative interpretations respectively, and is a phenomenon well known from other (Germanic) languages. The paper argues that the dative/locative type is the default version of any given alternating preposition, and that the accusative/directional version only occurs when the preposition is the head of a small clause predicate PP in the complement domain of the verb phrase. In that case, the accusative/directional property is imposed by a selecting resultative head in the aspectual structure of the verb phrase. In the absence of a resultative head, a PP may be a small clause predicate in the complement domain of the verb phrase and still retain its default locative/dative properties. Thus, it is correctly predicted that we find presentational sentences with both stative and activity verbs taking a locative/dative PP as a small clause predicate.
Abstract
This paper investigates the systematic alternations between accusative and dative case that is found with spatial prepositions in Norwegian dative dialects. This case alternation is correlated with directional and locative interpretations respectively, and is a phenomenon well known from other (Germanic) languages. The paper argues that the dative/locative type is the default version of any given alternating preposition, and that the accusative/directional version only occurs when the preposition is the head of a small clause predicate PP in the complement domain of the verb phrase. In that case, the accusative/directional property is imposed by a selecting resultative head in the aspectual structure of the verb phrase. In the absence of a resultative head, a PP may be a small clause predicate in the complement domain of the verb phrase and still retain its default locative/dative properties. Thus, it is correctly predicted that we find presentational sentences with both stative and activity verbs taking a locative/dative PP as a small clause predicate.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Scandinavian
- On the syntax of the accusative/dative alternation in spatial PPs in Norwegian dative dialects 9
- Spurious topic drop in Swedish 27
-
Germanic sociolinguistics
- “The voice from below” 53
- Gender maintenance and loss in Totenmålet, English, and other major Germanic varieties 77
-
French
- Non-finite adjuncts in French 111
- Topics and the left periphery 131
-
Language change
- The developmental logic of the analytic past in German and Polish 175
- The diachrony of pronouns and demonstratives 195
-
Lesser-studied languages
- Origins of metathesis in Batsbi 221
- Indefinitely definite expressions 239
-
Language acquisition
- Doing diachrony 259
- The acquisition of linguistic variation 275
-
Language evolution
- The evolution of language 301
- Language as technology 327
- Index 359
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Scandinavian
- On the syntax of the accusative/dative alternation in spatial PPs in Norwegian dative dialects 9
- Spurious topic drop in Swedish 27
-
Germanic sociolinguistics
- “The voice from below” 53
- Gender maintenance and loss in Totenmålet, English, and other major Germanic varieties 77
-
French
- Non-finite adjuncts in French 111
- Topics and the left periphery 131
-
Language change
- The developmental logic of the analytic past in German and Polish 175
- The diachrony of pronouns and demonstratives 195
-
Lesser-studied languages
- Origins of metathesis in Batsbi 221
- Indefinitely definite expressions 239
-
Language acquisition
- Doing diachrony 259
- The acquisition of linguistic variation 275
-
Language evolution
- The evolution of language 301
- Language as technology 327
- Index 359
