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Non-finiteness in Saamáka

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Abstract

In this paper we demonstrate that the creole language Saamáka does exhibit the finite vs. non-finite distinction by analysing the semantic characteristics and syntactic distribution of complementizer fu. We adopt a Klein style analysis of finiteness and argue that clauses embedded under this complementizer lack the features Assertion and Topic Time, and, hence, that these clauses are nonfinite. Based on this semantic analysis, we propose to split up the Fin-head and demonstrate that complementizer fu is base-generated in the higher Fin-position. As a result, we claim that our analysis calls for a richer lower C-domain than previously assumed in the literature.

Abstract

In this paper we demonstrate that the creole language Saamáka does exhibit the finite vs. non-finite distinction by analysing the semantic characteristics and syntactic distribution of complementizer fu. We adopt a Klein style analysis of finiteness and argue that clauses embedded under this complementizer lack the features Assertion and Topic Time, and, hence, that these clauses are nonfinite. Based on this semantic analysis, we propose to split up the Fin-head and demonstrate that complementizer fu is base-generated in the higher Fin-position. As a result, we claim that our analysis calls for a richer lower C-domain than previously assumed in the literature.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Part I: Finiteness: underlying relations
  5. Finiteness and Pseudofiniteness 47
  6. The Split T Analysis 79
  7. Universals and variation 93
  8. Finiteness, inflection, and the syntax your morphology can afford 121
  9. Part II: Morphosyntactic exponents of (non-)finiteness
  10. Agreement is not an essential ingredient of finiteness 171
  11. Non-finiteness in Saamáka 189
  12. Finiteness and response particles in West Flemish 211
  13. Part III: Finiteness in language acquisition
  14. Word order and finiteness in acquisition 257
  15. The influence of phonological factors on the expression of finiteness by children learning Dutch as their first and second language 287
  16. Contradictory parameter settings in one mind 309
  17. Index 343
Finiteness Matters
This chapter is in the book Finiteness Matters
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.231.07van

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Part I: Finiteness: underlying relations
  5. Finiteness and Pseudofiniteness 47
  6. The Split T Analysis 79
  7. Universals and variation 93
  8. Finiteness, inflection, and the syntax your morphology can afford 121
  9. Part II: Morphosyntactic exponents of (non-)finiteness
  10. Agreement is not an essential ingredient of finiteness 171
  11. Non-finiteness in Saamáka 189
  12. Finiteness and response particles in West Flemish 211
  13. Part III: Finiteness in language acquisition
  14. Word order and finiteness in acquisition 257
  15. The influence of phonological factors on the expression of finiteness by children learning Dutch as their first and second language 287
  16. Contradictory parameter settings in one mind 309
  17. Index 343
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