Non-finite adjuncts in French
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Hans Petter Helland
Abstract
In this paper, I discuss the morphological build-up of the French gérondif en + V-ant and compare it to the present participle V-ant. On the basis of this discussion, en is to be treated as a prepositional complementizer just as de and à with infinitives. Arguments are given for a recategorization process of en from preposition to complementizer. The analysis is supported by facts from binding, agreement and cliticization. This means that the French gérondif, besides being verbal in nature, enters into clausal constructions just like the present participles. This conclusion enables us to revise some of the arguments in the literature for the gérondif as a mono-morphemic structure.
Abstract
In this paper, I discuss the morphological build-up of the French gérondif en + V-ant and compare it to the present participle V-ant. On the basis of this discussion, en is to be treated as a prepositional complementizer just as de and à with infinitives. Arguments are given for a recategorization process of en from preposition to complementizer. The analysis is supported by facts from binding, agreement and cliticization. This means that the French gérondif, besides being verbal in nature, enters into clausal constructions just like the present participles. This conclusion enables us to revise some of the arguments in the literature for the gérondif as a mono-morphemic structure.
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
