Grammar or error? Non-compositional (expletive/paratactic) negation in Dutch sentences with zonder ‘without’
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Egbert Fortuin
Abstract
The chapter deals with the use of a non-compositional (extra/expletive/ paratactic) negation in Dutch sentences with the conjunction zonder ‘without’ called the “negative without construction” (NWC). The NWC can be seen as an instance of expletive negation but also shares properties with negative concord constructions. Based on previous research hypotheses about the acceptability of such sentences are formulated. These hypotheses are tested in an acceptability survey with sentence pairs. This type of testing was introduced to overcome issues which have to do with the influence of prescriptive, normative grammar. The survey shows that there is a clear correlation between two factors (presence of (i) negation or negative evaluation in the main clause and (ii) focus word in the subordinate clause) and the acceptability of the NWC. It also shows that there is quite some variation between speakers to what extent they accept the extra negation. It is hypothesized that speakers who reject extra negation are influenced by the rules of normative grammar, and that the use of non-compositional negation is a naturally occurring phenomenon which builds on general principles of grammar
Abstract
The chapter deals with the use of a non-compositional (extra/expletive/ paratactic) negation in Dutch sentences with the conjunction zonder ‘without’ called the “negative without construction” (NWC). The NWC can be seen as an instance of expletive negation but also shares properties with negative concord constructions. Based on previous research hypotheses about the acceptability of such sentences are formulated. These hypotheses are tested in an acceptability survey with sentence pairs. This type of testing was introduced to overcome issues which have to do with the influence of prescriptive, normative grammar. The survey shows that there is a clear correlation between two factors (presence of (i) negation or negative evaluation in the main clause and (ii) focus word in the subordinate clause) and the acceptability of the NWC. It also shows that there is quite some variation between speakers to what extent they accept the extra negation. It is hypothesized that speakers who reject extra negation are influenced by the rules of normative grammar, and that the use of non-compositional negation is a naturally occurring phenomenon which builds on general principles of grammar
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction 1
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Section 1: General theoretical issues
- Negative concord: the first 133 years 9
- Negindefinites and negative concord: concepts, terms and analyses 53
- Negative concord and TAM: a new perspective 77
- Non-strict negative concord: a correlate of focus movement? 107
- The universal force of (strict) negative concord 123
- N-words: in defence of wide scope. A view from Romanian 149
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Section 2: Perspectives on variation
- Negative concord in Medieval Greek: lexical asymmetry and the role of correlative negation 175
- What does the linear position of negative concord items tell us about their properties? 207
- Grammar or error? Non-compositional (expletive/paratactic) negation in Dutch sentences with zonder ‘without’ 239
- Two negatives in Tyneside English questions: negative concord or double negation? 269
- Less formal and more rebellious — An experiment on the social meaning of negative concord in American English 303
- Subject index 333
- Language index 337
- Name index 341
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction 1
-
Section 1: General theoretical issues
- Negative concord: the first 133 years 9
- Negindefinites and negative concord: concepts, terms and analyses 53
- Negative concord and TAM: a new perspective 77
- Non-strict negative concord: a correlate of focus movement? 107
- The universal force of (strict) negative concord 123
- N-words: in defence of wide scope. A view from Romanian 149
-
Section 2: Perspectives on variation
- Negative concord in Medieval Greek: lexical asymmetry and the role of correlative negation 175
- What does the linear position of negative concord items tell us about their properties? 207
- Grammar or error? Non-compositional (expletive/paratactic) negation in Dutch sentences with zonder ‘without’ 239
- Two negatives in Tyneside English questions: negative concord or double negation? 269
- Less formal and more rebellious — An experiment on the social meaning of negative concord in American English 303
- Subject index 333
- Language index 337
- Name index 341
