Restructuring in Slovene

Thesis

In Slovene, as well as other languages, two types of infinitival constructions containing a matrix and a complement verb are observed: in some cases each verb projects in an independent locality domain, in others, both verbs are a part of the same domain (restructuring). This is confirmed by processes such as clitic climbing, non-focus scrambling, long-passive, and the scope of adverbs and negation. Restructuring was analysed in every theory of generative syntax. This article challenges these analyses and provides a new analysis based on the theory of lexical or first phase syntax. These theories of lexical decomposition argue that a substantial part of semantics of verbal predicates, their argument and event structure, is built by syntactic templates. Examining the data from Slovene, the article concludes that the chosen frameworks provide a better account of syntactic and semantic properties of restructuring and non-restructuring configurations.

Authors: Dobnik, S

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-0o7dbdz9m
• Type of award: MPhil
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: minimalism; syntax; zero phase syntax; restructuring; semantics; long distance dependencies; clitics
• Subjects: Syntax; Linguistics; Semantics