[Lingtyp] phoric control into dependent verb form

[Christian Lehmann]

Dear specialists in syntax,

I have a question concerning the referential control relation between an 
argument _N__^h _ of a superordinate predication and a zero argument 
_N__^d _ of a dependent predication such that _N__^h _ determines the 
reference of _N__^d _, as in this example:

John_i tried [∅_i to introduce Mary to Bill].

As far as I know about this chapter of syntax (which is very little), 
the zero argument of the dependent predicate whose reference is thus 
controlled is the subject of the dependent verb, and the latter appears 
in a non-finite form which is commonly (though not necessarily) an 
infinitive.

Suppose I have a construction

[ [N^h _i ]_NP V^h [ ∅_i X_NP V^d -Inf] ]

where the dependent infinitive V^d has a zero argument which is under 
referential control by some N^h of the matrix clause.

Can I assert that the category of the ∅ must be NP and its function must 
be subject of V^d ?

Putting the question the other way around: Given a configuration

John tried [ A introduce B to C ],

is it possible, in some language, for B or C to be John without adapting 
the voice or valency of V^d ? That is, ‘introduce’ would be an active 
verb form, though ex hypothesi not an infinitive of the familiar kind, 
because for these the answer appears to be ‘no’.

Background of my question: Cabecar has two transitive constructions:

1) [NP_Erg NP_Abs V]

2) [ NP_1 NP_2 V]

Construction 1 is ergative, with the syntactic function of NP_Erg being 
marked while NP_Abs is a bare NP. In construction 2, both NP_1 and NP_2 
are bare NPs, in fixed order, but lacking marking of their syntactic 
function. NP_2 is not distinguishable from NP_Abs .

Now if I have

[ [N^h _i ]_NP V^h [ ∅_i X_NP V^d -Inf] ]

how do I know which of the two transitive constructions is represented 
in the dependent clause? Is there a principle of general comparative 
grammar which determines this?

I beg the specialists’ pardon if this question is somehow misplaced.

Christian

-- 

Prof. em. Dr. Christian Lehmann
Rudolfstr. 4
99092 Erfurt
Deutschland

Tel.: 	+49/361/2113417
E-Post: 	christianw_lehmann at arcor.de
Web: 	https://www.christianlehmann.eu
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