Problems for the pronominal argument hypothesis in Maliseet-Passamaquoddy
Abstract: According to the pronominal argument hypothesis, the characteristic features of many so-called nonconfigurational languages may be accounted for on the assumption that affixes of verbs or auxiliaries in such languages either function as syntactic arguments or identify null pronouns that fi...
| Published in: | Language |
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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Project MUSE
2006
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/lan.2006.0150 |
| Summary: | Abstract: According to the pronominal argument hypothesis, the characteristic features of many so-called nonconfigurational languages may be accounted for on the assumption that affixes of verbs or auxiliaries in such languages either function as syntactic arguments or identify null pronouns that fill this role. Overt NPs then stand as adjuncts to clauses that are formally complete without them. Several studies have proposed analyses of Algonquian languages that incorporate versions of this hypothesis. This article explores data from several areas of the morphology and syntax of the Eastern Algonquian language Maliseet-Passamaquoddy that suggest that it is not such a pronominal argument language. |
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