Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Agreement without A-Positions: Another Look at Algonquian
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Ritter, Elizabeth Rosen, Sara Thomas |
| Copyright Year | 2005 |
| Abstract | Branigan and MacKenzie (2000, 2002) argue that cross-clausal agreement (CCA) in Innu-aimufn (Central Algonquian) is an example of Aagreement. In this squib, we propose that all agreement in Innu-aimuin and other Algonquian languages is in fact A-agreement. As is well known, agreement targets are selected on the basis of relative animacy rather than grammatical relations in these languages. Following Bruening (2001), we assume that they have a designated position for the argument that is highest on the animacy hierarchy.' However, we argue that this is an A-position, given its function, position, and interaction with other syntactic processes. We propose that the absence of A-agreement derives from a property that characterizes all Algonquian languages: either they lack TP altogether, or T is not specified for Case or D-features. The evidence for our claim comes from the lack of other A-syntax phenomena related to Spec,T, including Case, Case-motivated A-movement, and A-binding.2 On our proposal, arguments are projected into the vP, licensed by familiar 0-relations. They do not move for Case agreement, but only for discourse purposes such as topic or focus, or for wh-questions. We suggest that in the absence of A-movement and A-checking, these languages rely instead on A-positions for agreement triggers and landing sites for movement. |
| Starting Page | 648 |
| Ending Page | 660 |
| Page Count | 13 |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| DOI | 10.1162/002438905774464304 |
| Volume Number | 36 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/17413/RosenS_LI_36(4)648.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://doi.org/10.1162/002438905774464304 |
| Journal | Linguistic Inquiry |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
