Introduction: complex predicates

2010 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengistu Amberber ◽  
Brett Baker ◽  
Mark Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Complex Predicates

Simple Monotransitive and Complex Dative Alternation Predicates in Spanish Monolingual Child Acquisition Data

Probus ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Sánchez Calderón
Keyword(s):  
Relative Frequency ◽  
Syntactic Complexity ◽  
Complex Predicates ◽  
Case Assignment ◽  
Internal Argument ◽  
Complex Predicate ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Dative Alternation ◽  
First Occurrence ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract This work analyzes the acquisition of simple and complex constructions in Spanish monolingual children’s data. It examines the emergence and the role played by adult input in child production of simple monotransitive constructions when compared to two types of complex predicates that undergo dative alternation (DA), namely, a/para-datives and dative-clitic doubled (DCLD) structures. In order to shed light on these issues, we have analyzed data from Spanish monolingual children and from the adults that they interact with, as available in CHILDES (MacWhinney, Brian. 2000. The CHILDES project: Tools for analyzing talk [Dataset], 3rd edn. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum. http://childes.talkbank.org (accessed 20 October 2019)). The results show that there is an order in the onset of simple and complex predicate constructions, as reflected in the earlier emergence of monotransitives when compared to DA constructions. The latter also show a subsequent order of first occurrence, namely, DCLDs before a/para-datives. Thus, the degree of syntactic complexity seems to have played a role in the acquisition of simple and complex constructions, as measured by the number of Case assignment relations between the verb and its internal argument(s). Moreover, the differences in the Spanish monolingual children’s incidence of the three structures under analysis do not appear to be explained by the relative frequency of exposure in the adult input.

Generative Approaches to Syntax

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simin Karimi
Keyword(s):  
Complex Predicates ◽  
Close Attention ◽  
Resultative Constructions ◽  
Differential Object Marking ◽  
Object Marking ◽  
And Control ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

This chapter offers an overview of some of the major syntactic and morphosyntactic properties of Persian. Of the topics introduced in this chapter, three have extensively been examined by various researchers over several decades: complex predicates, Ezafe constructions, and differential object marking. Issues related to scrambling, wh-constructions, and raising and control have also been discussed. Some of the issues introduced in this chapter have not been thoroughly examined in the literature. For example, problems related to complex DPs, specifically with respect to extraposition of the CP out of the complex DP, require close attention. Furthermore, the nature of resultative constructions, and whether Persian allows secondary predicate constructions need to be examined. Finally, this chapter touches on some topics that are under-studied: modality, negation, aspect, ellipsis, and sluicing. Due to the descriptive nature of this chapter, theoretical considerations are not thoroughly discussed, although briefly mentioned in some cases.

Specific Features of Persian Syntax

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pollet Samvelian
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Studies ◽  
Complex Predicates ◽  
Differential Object Marking ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Object Marking ◽  
The Way

This chapter is devoted to three specific features of Persian syntax, namely, the Ezafe construction, differential object marking with the enclitic rā, and complex predicates, which have received a great deal of attention for more than thirty years. Each of these phenomena involves language-specific challenging facts which need to be accurately described and accounted for. At the same time, each constitutes a topic of cross-linguistic investigation for which the Persian data can be of crucial interest. The chapter is divided into three sections. Each section provides an overview of empirical facts and the way various theoretical studies have tried to account for them. While it was impossible to do justice to all influential studies because of the impressive amount of work on each topic, the article is nevertheless intended to be as exhaustive as possible and to maintain the balance between different theoretical approaches.

scholarly journals Converbal constructions in Selkup

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-165
Author(s):  
Anja Behnke
Keyword(s):  
Complex Predicates ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Corpus Data ◽  
The Individual

In Selkup, converbs and converbal constructions are extensively used in a wide range of different syntactic functions. However, the corpus data show significant differences regarding the frequency within the individual Selkup dialectal groups (Northern, Central and Southern). In Southern Selkup, converbal constructions occur more than three times more frequently than in Central and Northern Selkup. This southnorth divide can also be observed concerning some functions, especially complex predicates. The question arises why there is such a large difference in the frequency and which strategies Central and Northern Selkup use to express Southern Selkup converbal constructions. Kokkuvõte. Anja Behnke: Konverbitarindid sölkupi keeles. Sölkupi keeles kasutatakse konverbe ja konverbitarindeid laialdaselt paljudes erinevates süntaktilistes funktsioonides. Siiski näitavad korpuseandmed märkimis väärseid esinemissageduse erinevusi sölkupi murrete lõikes (põhja-, kesk- ja lõunasölkupi). Lõuna-sölkupi murdes esinevad konverbitarindid enam kui kolm korda sagedamini kui kesk- ja põhja-sölkupi murretes. Sarnast põhja-lõuna vastandust on näha ka mõningate nende funktsioonide puhul, eriti liitpredikaatide puhul. Tekib küsimus, millest on selline esinemissageduste erinevus tingitud ja millised strateegiad vastavad kesk- ja põhja-sölkupi murretes lõunasölkupi konverbitarinditele. Аннотация. Аня Бенке: Деепричастные конструкции в селькупском языке. В селькупском языке деепричастия и деепричастные конструкции широко используются в самых разных синтаксических позициях. Однако корпусные данные показывают значительные различия в частотности их употребления в разных диалектных группах (северной, центральной и южной). В южноселькупском конструкции с деепричастиями встречаются более чем в три раза чаще, чем в центральном и северном. Такое же разделение между севером и югом можно наблюдать и на примере некоторых функций, в особенности сложных предикатов. В этой связи возникают вопросы о причинах такой разницы в частотности и о том, какие стратегии используются в северном и центральном селькупском для выражения значений, которые в южноселькупском выражаются конструкциями с деепричастиями.

scholarly journals Empty verbs in Chinese predicatives and complex predicates

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 147-163
Author(s):  
Niina Ning Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Verb Second ◽  
Complex Predicates ◽  
Internal Argument ◽  
Syntactic Properties ◽  
Secondary Predication

This paper investigates syntactic properties of verbless constructions in Chinese. Verbless constructions differ from constructions with overt verbs in three major respects. First, there is a VP-internal nominal raising in Chinese, which is optional if an overt verb shows up, and obligatory if there is no overt verb. Second, while an overt verb can select various kinds of argument, the internal argument of a verbless construction cannot be indefinite. Third, there are two types of object depictive secondary predication constructions, and only one of them allows for a null verb.  

Periphrasis in Archi1

Periphrasis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Chumakina
Keyword(s):  
Complex Predicates ◽  
Serial Verb Constructions ◽  
Verb Constructions ◽  
Serial Verb ◽  
Descriptive Purpose ◽  
Published Research

The Nakh-Daghestanian language Archi has several types of verbal constructions: periphrases, complex predicates, and phenomena very similar to serial verb constructions. This chapter investigates these constructions, using the approach of canonical typology; this allows different constructions to be ranked in terms of their proximity to the canonical centre. The analysis suggested is relevant for the general typology of multiword constructions, since it identifies tests for distinguishing them: for complex predicates the test will be their syntactic behaviour, for constructions close to serialization it is the fact that they are only available for a subset of verbs, while periphrasis is exhaustive. The chapter also has a descriptive purpose: published research on Archi does not describe all the available meanings for the periphrastic constructions nor their syntactic behaviour, and so an attempt is made to fill these gaps.

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