Split intransitivity in Irish and the syntax-semantics interface
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Aidan Doyle
Abstract
This paper considers the notion of split intransitivity as evidenced in the behaviour of perfects in Irish. It is claimed that this language exhibits a distinction between kinds of perfect which roughly corresponds to that between have and be perfects in other languages. However, the choice of perfect is initially somewhat puzzling, and a high degree of variability is found. In response to this, it is attempted to discover if the choice of perfect in Irish is dependent on such semantic factors as agentivity and telicity. The next part of the paper takes the Auxiliary Selection Hierarchy of Sorace (2000) and adapts it to the Irish data. Two semantic groups in particular are investigated: change-of-location verbs and change-of-state verbs. The findings of our examination strongly suggest that semantic factors play a major role in determining the kind of perfect chosen for intransitive verbs, but that one ought to think more in terms of trends in the behaviour of individual verbs, rather than absolute, unvarying rules. The paper tries to come to terms with a typologically unusual body of data. It is hoped that the analysis of this presented below will increase our understanding of the syntax-semantics interface as manifested in split intransitivity.
Abstract
This paper considers the notion of split intransitivity as evidenced in the behaviour of perfects in Irish. It is claimed that this language exhibits a distinction between kinds of perfect which roughly corresponds to that between have and be perfects in other languages. However, the choice of perfect is initially somewhat puzzling, and a high degree of variability is found. In response to this, it is attempted to discover if the choice of perfect in Irish is dependent on such semantic factors as agentivity and telicity. The next part of the paper takes the Auxiliary Selection Hierarchy of Sorace (2000) and adapts it to the Irish data. Two semantic groups in particular are investigated: change-of-location verbs and change-of-state verbs. The findings of our examination strongly suggest that semantic factors play a major role in determining the kind of perfect chosen for intransitive verbs, but that one ought to think more in terms of trends in the behaviour of individual verbs, rather than absolute, unvarying rules. The paper tries to come to terms with a typologically unusual body of data. It is hoped that the analysis of this presented below will increase our understanding of the syntax-semantics interface as manifested in split intransitivity.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Argument structure in flux 1
-
Part I. Argument structure and encoding strategies
- Non-canonical subjects in clauses with noun predicates 15
- Differential agent marking in Hinuq 33
- Case variation and case alternation in Indo-European and beyond 53
- Constructional polysemy and argument realisation with the Irish GET verb 87
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Part II. Argument structure and verb classes
- Latin preverbs and verb argument structure 119
- Experiencing linking 135
- Introduce 169
- On the relationship between lexical aspect, verbal meaning, and (lexical) argument structure 201
- Four Romanian verbs of occurring 231
-
Part III. Unexpressed arguments
- The pro cycle 257
- Argument promotion and SE-constructions in Brazilian Portuguese 285
- Unaccusativity and the diachrony of null and cognate objects in Greek 307
-
Part IV. Split intransitivity
- Split intransitivity in Irish and the syntax-semantics interface 345
- Semantic constraints on the Latin impersonal passive 373
- Auxiliary selection in German 405
- Tornar and volver 435
-
Part V. Existential and presentational constructions
- Control and the evolution of possessive and existential constructions 461
- Existential constructions 477
- Variation and change in the presentational constructions of north-western Italo-Romance varieties 511
- Argument realization and existential pro-forms in early Italo-Romance 549
- Author index 567
- Language and topic index 573
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Argument structure in flux 1
-
Part I. Argument structure and encoding strategies
- Non-canonical subjects in clauses with noun predicates 15
- Differential agent marking in Hinuq 33
- Case variation and case alternation in Indo-European and beyond 53
- Constructional polysemy and argument realisation with the Irish GET verb 87
-
Part II. Argument structure and verb classes
- Latin preverbs and verb argument structure 119
- Experiencing linking 135
- Introduce 169
- On the relationship between lexical aspect, verbal meaning, and (lexical) argument structure 201
- Four Romanian verbs of occurring 231
-
Part III. Unexpressed arguments
- The pro cycle 257
- Argument promotion and SE-constructions in Brazilian Portuguese 285
- Unaccusativity and the diachrony of null and cognate objects in Greek 307
-
Part IV. Split intransitivity
- Split intransitivity in Irish and the syntax-semantics interface 345
- Semantic constraints on the Latin impersonal passive 373
- Auxiliary selection in German 405
- Tornar and volver 435
-
Part V. Existential and presentational constructions
- Control and the evolution of possessive and existential constructions 461
- Existential constructions 477
- Variation and change in the presentational constructions of north-western Italo-Romance varieties 511
- Argument realization and existential pro-forms in early Italo-Romance 549
- Author index 567
- Language and topic index 573
