VP Nominalization and the Final-over-Final Condition

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-44
Author(s):  
Johannes Hein ◽  
Andrew Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Word Order ◽  
Serial Verb Constructions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Verb Constructions ◽  
Serial Verb

The Final-over-Final Condition has emerged as a robust and explanatory generalization for a wide range of phenomena (Biberauer et. al. 2014; Sheehan et al. 2017). In this paper, we argue that it also holds in another domain, nominalization. In languages which show overt nominalization of VPs, we find that one word order is routinely unattested, namely a head-initial VP with a suffixal nominalizer. This typological gap can be accounted for by the FOFC, if we allow it to hold within mixed extended projections. Furthermore, we show that this view also makes correct predictions about agentive nominalizations, as well as nominalized serial verb constructions.

What are serial verbs good for?

Serial Verbs ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 164-195
Author(s):  
Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald
Keyword(s):  
Single Event ◽  
Verbal Morphology ◽  
Serial Verb Constructions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Verb Constructions ◽  
Serial Verbs ◽  
Serial Verb ◽  
Good For

Serial verb constructions can express a multitude of grammatical meanings—including directionality, aspect, comparison, increasing valency, and many more. These meanings may be expressed with affixes in other languages. Using a serial verb may help express definiteness and focus. Detailed portrayal of various facets of one single event is a function of symmetrical serial verbs. Languages with serial verbs—or ‘serializing’ languages—are not exclusively associated with any particular type of language. Serial verbs are a major means of expressing grammatical meanings in languages with few if any bound morphemes. Many of these languages are highly analytic and isolating in their profile. Languages with little verbal morphology tend to rely on serial verbs for expressing the relevant meanings. Prolific use of serial verbs is a corollary of the language having a comparatively small number of verbs with a wide range of meanings.

scholarly journals WORD ORDER AND CONSTITUENCY OF SERIAL VERB CONSTRUCTIONS

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-151
Author(s):  
Yongzhong Yang
Keyword(s):  
Internal Structure ◽  
Word Order ◽  
Syntactic Structure ◽  
Generative Grammar ◽  
Serial Verb Constructions ◽  
Verb Constructions ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Null Argument ◽  
Serial Verb

Abstract The goal of this paper is to provide a unified account of word order and constituency of serial verb constructions (SVCs) in the framework of generative grammar. It is argued that both SVO-type and SOV-type SVCs follow the Temporal Iconicity, which is associated with the asymmetric nature of syntactic structure, i.e. V1 or VP1 c-commands V2 or VP2 asymmetrically. Based on this argument, an analysis for the derivation of SVCs - Inter-VP Asymmetrical C-command Analysis - is proposed to account for the derivation of SVCs in various languages. It is argued that in the SVC there exists a null predicate and a null argument, the occurrence or non-occurrence of which gives rise to different types of SVCs. Furthermore, left peripheral deletion (LPD) triggers the movement of VP1’s Spec to [Spec IP] and the occurrence of VP2’s Spec as pro, as a result of which VP1 asymmetrically c-commands VP2. Object gapping triggers the ATB movement of VP2 to generate various types of SVCs. The differences between coordinative constructions, pivotal constructions and SVCs lie in their internal structure but not in the verb position.

scholarly journals Serial verb constructions and covert coordinations in Edo – an analysis in Type Logical Grammar

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Naumann ◽  
Thomas Gamerschlag
Keyword(s):  
Word Order ◽  
Complex Predicates ◽  
Serial Verb Constructions ◽  
Structural Rules ◽  
Logical Grammar ◽  
Semantic Component ◽  
Verb Constructions ◽  
Serial Verb ◽  
Event Based ◽  
Base Logic

Based on both syntactic and semantic criteria, Stewart (2001) and, following him, Baker and Stewart (1999), distinguish two types of serial verb constructions (SVC) and one type of covert coordination (CC) in Edo. In this article, we present an analysis of these constructions, using Type Logical Grammar (TLG) with an event-based semantic component. We choose as base logic the non-associative Lambek calculus augmented with two unary multiplicative connectives (NL(◊, □)). SVCs and CCs are interpreted as complex event structures. The complex predicates underlying these structures are derived from simple verbs by means of a constructor. SVCs and CCs differ in terms of which part of the complex event structure is denoted. For SVCs, this is the sum of all events in the structure whereas for a CC this is only the first event in the sequence. The two verbs in an SVC and a CC are treated asymmetrically by assuming that the first verb has an extended subcategorization frame. The additional argument is of type vp (possibly modally decorated). Constraints on word order and the realization of arguments are accounted for using structural rules like permutation and contraction. The application of these rules is enforced by making use of the unary connectives.

Linguistic expression of commands in Lao

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Enfield
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Social Hierarchy ◽  
National Language ◽  
Linguistic Expression ◽  
Serial Verb Constructions ◽  
Linguistic Resource ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Verb Constructions ◽  
Person Reference ◽  
Serial Verb

This chapter undertakes a survey of commands and similar speech acts in Lao, the national language of Laos. The survey draws upon a corpus of naturally occurring speech in narratives and conversations recorded in Laos. An important linguistic resource for expressing commands is a system of sentence-final particles. The particles convey subtle distinctions in meaning of commands, including matters of politeness, urgency, entitlement, and expectation. These distinctions are illustrated with examples. Forms of person reference such as names and pronouns also play a role in the formulation of commands, particularly in so far as they relate to a cultural system in which social hierarchy is strongly valued. Various other linguistic issues related to commands are examined, including negative imperatives, complementation, indirect strategies for expressing commands, and serial verb constructions.

Verbal Serialization in Biblical Aramaic

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-33
Author(s):  
Alexander Andrason ◽  
Bonsam Koo
Keyword(s):  
Linguistic Typology ◽  
Verbal System ◽  
Semitic Languages ◽  
Serial Verb Constructions ◽  
Relative Chronology ◽  
Verb Constructions ◽  
Recent Modification ◽  
Serial Verb

AbstractThe present paper discusses the issue of Serial Verb Constructions (SVCs) in Biblical Aramaic within the dynamic grammaticalization-based model of verbal serialization – a recent modification of a prototype-driven approach to SVCs used in linguistic typology. Having analyzed the entire corpus of Biblical Aramaic, the authors conclude the following: (a) verbal serialization constitutes an integral part of the verbal system of Biblical Aramaic; (b) pre-canonical SVCs are more common that canonical SVCs, and no cases of post-canonicity are attested; (c) Biblical Aramaic is a semi-advanced serializing language. Overall, the research corroborates the tendency of Semitic languages to gradually increase their serializing profile; a tendency that is often – albeit not without exception – correlated with the languages’ relative chronology.

scholarly journals Grammaticalization in Oceanic languages

2018 ◽  
pp. 282-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Moyse-Faurie
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Representation ◽  
Original Function ◽  
Serial Verb Constructions ◽  
Grammatical Morphemes ◽  
Oceanic Languages ◽  
Verb Constructions ◽  
Serial Verb

This chapter investigates the main grammaticalization processes found in Oceanic languages. In connection with verbs of posture and localization (‘sit’, ‘be at a place’), of motion (‘go up/down’, ‘come’, ‘return’, ‘follow’) and with verbs such as ‘take’, ‘make’, ‘do’ as sources, different paths of development will be described that give rise to various grammatical morphemes, often preserving the original function and meaning of the verb. A few cases of grammaticalization involving nouns, as well as cases of relexification and unusual developments such as ‘degrammation’, will be discussed as well. The perspective of my analysis will be both a typological and a semantic one, underlining the importance of spatial representation, the contribution of serial verb constructions, and the role of metonymy and reanalysis in the grammaticalization processes found in Oceanic languages.

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