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Parametrising arbitrary constructions

  • Diego Pescarini EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: April 10, 2018
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Abstract

This article aims to reconsider some restrictions on the distribution of of the arbitrary si/se in Romance. The main theoretical tenet of the work is that the observed cross-linguistic variation results from a set of micro-parameters ruling the merging site of si/se and the agree relations occurring between si/se and probing elements such as v and T. In particular, the proposed model aims to account for languages allowing si/se to occur with unaccusative verbs, but not with passive, copular constructions, and with accusative clitics.

Acknowledgment

For their helpful comments, I would like to thank Roberta D’Alessandro, Mair Parry, Delia Bentley, Michele Loporcaro and audiences in Leiden, Padua, and Zurich. The usual disclaimer applies.

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Published Online: 2018-4-10
Published in Print: 2018-4-25

© 2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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