Differential object marking in Basque varieties
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Beatriz Fernández
Abstract
This chapter studies Differential Object Marking (DOM) in nonstandard varieties of Basque. DOM in Basque overtly resembles a common DOM pattern of coding direct as indirect objects in both case and agreement, that is absolutives as datives, according to their animacy and specificity, as in Spanish and Hindi-Urdu. However, Basque DOM is also sensitive to properties of the clause such as tense. In both respects, there is variation across Basque. Some varieties let us probe the nature of DOM datives, and reveal systematic patterning with non-DOM absolutives rather than with indirect object datives. This includes robust diagnostics for structural Case, such as ECM and absolutive-dative alternations. We propose a structural Agree/Case mechanism for DOM datives that brings out their relationship to absolutives and allows sensitivity to properties of both the object and the clause.
Abstract
This chapter studies Differential Object Marking (DOM) in nonstandard varieties of Basque. DOM in Basque overtly resembles a common DOM pattern of coding direct as indirect objects in both case and agreement, that is absolutives as datives, according to their animacy and specificity, as in Spanish and Hindi-Urdu. However, Basque DOM is also sensitive to properties of the clause such as tense. In both respects, there is variation across Basque. Some varieties let us probe the nature of DOM datives, and reveal systematic patterning with non-DOM absolutives rather than with indirect object datives. This includes robust diagnostics for structural Case, such as ECM and absolutive-dative alternations. We propose a structural Agree/Case mechanism for DOM datives that brings out their relationship to absolutives and allows sensitivity to properties of both the object and the clause.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introductory chapters
- Microparameters in the Grammar of Basque 3
- On Basque dialects 15
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Case and Agreement
- On the relation between ergativity, stativity and the verbal configuration of Basque 39
- Datives in Basque bivalent unergatives 67
- Differential object marking in Basque varieties 93
- Gaps and stopgaps in Basque finite verb agreement* 139
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Determiners
- Nominals in Basque and their existential interpretation 195
-
Word order and left periphery
- Strategies of verb and verb phrase focus across Basque dialects 221
- Strategies for argument and adjunct focalization in Basque 243
- Microsyntactic variation in the Basque hearsay evidential 265
- Index of Basque varieties mentioned in the text 289
- Name Index 291
- Subject Index 297
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introductory chapters
- Microparameters in the Grammar of Basque 3
- On Basque dialects 15
-
Case and Agreement
- On the relation between ergativity, stativity and the verbal configuration of Basque 39
- Datives in Basque bivalent unergatives 67
- Differential object marking in Basque varieties 93
- Gaps and stopgaps in Basque finite verb agreement* 139
-
Determiners
- Nominals in Basque and their existential interpretation 195
-
Word order and left periphery
- Strategies of verb and verb phrase focus across Basque dialects 221
- Strategies for argument and adjunct focalization in Basque 243
- Microsyntactic variation in the Basque hearsay evidential 265
- Index of Basque varieties mentioned in the text 289
- Name Index 291
- Subject Index 297
