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Theta-Positions and Binding in Balinese and Malagasy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2016

Lisa DeMena Travis
Lisa DeMena Travis*
Affiliation:
McGill University
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Abstract

In this article, an argument is made for representing theta-positions structurally through a UTAH-like mapping onto articulated VP structures. Further, an argument is made for giving these positions a distinct status. It is argued, using data from binding in Balinese and Malagasy, that binding may be sensitive to theta-positions (T-positions), which are a subset of A-positions. Specs of lexical categories must be T-positions, Specs of functional categories cannot be T-positions. It is argued further that, once it can be shown that binding may be sensitive to T-positions, one is forced to revise what can count as a T-position in order to account for raising constructions. Categories which bind event variables (such as Aspect) are seen to be non-distinct from lexical categories and from functional categories. As such, their Specs may count as T-positions, explaining why an NP in a derived position may act as an antecedent.

Résumé

Résumé

Cet article propose de représenter les positions-thêta structurellement au moyen d’un appariement de type UTAH sur des structures VP articulées. Il est aussi proposé de donner à ces positions un statut distinct. Il est démontré, en utilisant des données portant sur le liage en balinais et en malgache, que le liage peut être sensible aux positions-thêta, qui constituent un sous-ensemble des positions-A. Les spécifieurs des catégories lexicales constituent nécessairement des positions-thêta contrairement aux spécifieurs des catégories fontionnelles. Cette sensibilité du liage aux positions-thêta doit entraîner une reformulation de ce qui compte comme position-thêta afin de rendre compte des constructions à montée. Les catégories qui lient des variables d’événement (e.g., Aspect) sont non-distinctes à la fois des catégories lexicales et des catégories fonctionnelles. Ceci explique pourquoi leur spécifieur peut se comporter comme une position-thêta et ainsi permettre qu’un NP dans une position dérivée agisse comme un antécédent.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Linguistics/Revue canadienne de linguistique , Volume 43 , Special Issue 3-4: Arguments and Structure in Austronesian Languages , December 1998 , pp. 435 - 467
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Linguistic Association 1998

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