Object omission and the semantics of predicates in Italian in a comparative perspective
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Michela Cennamo
Abstract
This paper discusses the semantics of O(bject) omission with divalent verbs in Italian, in relation to (i) the interplay of the inherent and structural aspects of verb meaning with the degree of thematic specification of the subject (i.e., agentivity/control); (ii) the inherent characteristics of the O argument (e.g., animacy); (iii) the degree of semantic implication between the verb and O; (iv) the role played by the linguistic and extra-linguistic context. It is shown that object omission in Italian is highly sensitive to the event structure template of verbs (e.g., the low degree of aspectual specification of verbs) and the elements of meaning lexicalized in the verb, interacting, in turn, with other semantic and discourse-pragmatic parameters. Whereas the constraints on Indefinite Null Instantiation appear to be similar to those at work in other languages (e.g, English and French), those applying to Definite Null Instantiation display more variability.
Abstract
This paper discusses the semantics of O(bject) omission with divalent verbs in Italian, in relation to (i) the interplay of the inherent and structural aspects of verb meaning with the degree of thematic specification of the subject (i.e., agentivity/control); (ii) the inherent characteristics of the O argument (e.g., animacy); (iii) the degree of semantic implication between the verb and O; (iv) the role played by the linguistic and extra-linguistic context. It is shown that object omission in Italian is highly sensitive to the event structure template of verbs (e.g., the low degree of aspectual specification of verbs) and the elements of meaning lexicalized in the verb, interacting, in turn, with other semantic and discourse-pragmatic parameters. Whereas the constraints on Indefinite Null Instantiation appear to be similar to those at work in other languages (e.g, English and French), those applying to Definite Null Instantiation display more variability.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Mary Esther Kropp Dakubu In Memoriam vii
- Introduction. Issues in contrastive valency studies 1
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Part I. Argument coding
- Multiple case binding – The principled underspecification of case exponency 27
- Infinitives 83
- A labeling system for valency 109
- Non-canonical valency patterns in Basque, variation and evolution 151
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Part II. Valency rearranging alternations
- Exploring the domain of ditransitive constructions 177
- Cognate constructions in Italian and beyond 219
- Object omission and the semantics of predicates in Italian in a comparative perspective 251
- On animacy restrictions for the null object in Brazilian Portuguese 275
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Part III. Voice and valency changing (uncoded/coded) alternations and markers
- Between Passive and Middle 297
- Valency alternations between inflection and derivation 327
- Pronominal verbs across European languages 375
- Semantic constraints on the reflexive/non-reflexive alternation of Romanian unaccusatives 407
- Circumfixed causatives in Polish against a panorama of active and non-active voice morphology 431
- Language index 471
- Subject index 473
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Mary Esther Kropp Dakubu In Memoriam vii
- Introduction. Issues in contrastive valency studies 1
-
Part I. Argument coding
- Multiple case binding – The principled underspecification of case exponency 27
- Infinitives 83
- A labeling system for valency 109
- Non-canonical valency patterns in Basque, variation and evolution 151
-
Part II. Valency rearranging alternations
- Exploring the domain of ditransitive constructions 177
- Cognate constructions in Italian and beyond 219
- Object omission and the semantics of predicates in Italian in a comparative perspective 251
- On animacy restrictions for the null object in Brazilian Portuguese 275
-
Part III. Voice and valency changing (uncoded/coded) alternations and markers
- Between Passive and Middle 297
- Valency alternations between inflection and derivation 327
- Pronominal verbs across European languages 375
- Semantic constraints on the reflexive/non-reflexive alternation of Romanian unaccusatives 407
- Circumfixed causatives in Polish against a panorama of active and non-active voice morphology 431
- Language index 471
- Subject index 473
