Phonological, morphosyntactic and semantic properties of es
-
Ilse Zimmermann
Abstract
The contribution deals with the German multifunctional item es and its suppletive forms dessen, dem and da(r). Their phonological, morphosyntactic and semantic lexical properties are considered and represented in corresponding lexical entries. The focus of attention is on the interrelation of the anaphoric and cataphoric functions of es and its role in sentence embedding.As far as possible, a unified syntactic and semantic analysis is given. As for the pro-form and the correlate es, I follow the differentiation of two matrix-predicate classes made by Sudhoff (2003) and try to add necessary distinctions and semantic considerations. For some types of matrix-predicates lexical representations are proposed. It is assumed that the correlate has an obligatory propositional argument, while the pro-forms es, dessen, dem, and da(r) occur separately or are accompanied by an apposition. The extraposition of the propositional argument of the correlate takes place for phonological and/or computational reasons and is not visible, semantically. In contrast, explicative constituents of pronouns and pro-forms can be base-generated right-dislocated to the matrix-sentence and are semantically correlated with their antecedent. The same seems true for cleft-constructions. It is discussed what it means to supply embedded clauses with nominal character. In this connection, a comparison is made between DPs with a pronominal head and DPs with a determiner and a lexical head with regard to their role in the embedding of clauses.
Abstract
The contribution deals with the German multifunctional item es and its suppletive forms dessen, dem and da(r). Their phonological, morphosyntactic and semantic lexical properties are considered and represented in corresponding lexical entries. The focus of attention is on the interrelation of the anaphoric and cataphoric functions of es and its role in sentence embedding.As far as possible, a unified syntactic and semantic analysis is given. As for the pro-form and the correlate es, I follow the differentiation of two matrix-predicate classes made by Sudhoff (2003) and try to add necessary distinctions and semantic considerations. For some types of matrix-predicates lexical representations are proposed. It is assumed that the correlate has an obligatory propositional argument, while the pro-forms es, dessen, dem, and da(r) occur separately or are accompanied by an apposition. The extraposition of the propositional argument of the correlate takes place for phonological and/or computational reasons and is not visible, semantically. In contrast, explicative constituents of pronouns and pro-forms can be base-generated right-dislocated to the matrix-sentence and are semantically correlated with their antecedent. The same seems true for cleft-constructions. It is discussed what it means to supply embedded clauses with nominal character. In this connection, a comparison is made between DPs with a pronominal head and DPs with a determiner and a lexical head with regard to their role in the embedding of clauses.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Sentential proforms 1
- Correlates of object clauses in German and Dutch 23
- Correlative es vs. das in German 49
- On properties differentiating constructions with inner-sentential pro-forms for clauses 73
- Some distinctions in the right periphery of the German clause 105
- Phonological, morphosyntactic and semantic properties of es 147
- On the formation of prepositional adverbs in Modern German 171
- Sentential proforms and argument conditionals 211
- Rethinking clausal asymmetries 241
- Name Index 271
- Subject Index 273
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Sentential proforms 1
- Correlates of object clauses in German and Dutch 23
- Correlative es vs. das in German 49
- On properties differentiating constructions with inner-sentential pro-forms for clauses 73
- Some distinctions in the right periphery of the German clause 105
- Phonological, morphosyntactic and semantic properties of es 147
- On the formation of prepositional adverbs in Modern German 171
- Sentential proforms and argument conditionals 211
- Rethinking clausal asymmetries 241
- Name Index 271
- Subject Index 273
