12.1390, Qs: "Double Progressives", Theme in Spanish

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LINGUIST List:  Vol-12-1390. Mon May 21 2001. ISSN: 1068-4875.

Subject: 12.1390, Qs: "Double Progressives", Theme in Spanish

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1)
Date:  Sun, 20 May 2001 17:02:24 +0100
From:  jlc115 <jlc115 at york.ac.uk>
Subject:  Double progressives?

2)
Date:  Thu, 17 May 2001 23:38:02 -0300
From:  Susana Rezzano <susana at unsl.edu.ar>
Subject:  Theme in Spanish

-------------------------------- Message 1 -------------------------------

Date:  Sun, 20 May 2001 17:02:24 +0100
From:  jlc115 <jlc115 at york.ac.uk>
Subject:  Double progressives?

Some dialects of English allow the use of double aspectuals:

1. He could have not have gone.

Some American English dialects allow double modal constructions:

2. He might could have gone.

I was wondering if there are any dialects that allow double
progressives?

Thanks.


-------------------------------- Message 2 -------------------------------

Date:  Thu, 17 May 2001 23:38:02 -0300
From:  Susana Rezzano <susana at unsl.edu.ar>
Subject:  Theme in Spanish


Dear list:

I am trying to apply Theme/Rheme analysis to Spanish clauses, based on
Systemic Functional Linguistics, and I am faced with some
difficulties. I hope someone can help me.

As you may know, the unmarked option in declarative clauses in Spanish
with a pronominal subject is with elliptical subject. For example:

¿Donde está Juan? (Where is Juan?)
Salió de compras (Went shopping)

My question is, in a clause such as "Salió de compras", should we consider
that the Theme is the verb  (the first experiential element) or that the
Theme (él) is elliptical?

Another question:
In Spanish, pronominal objects precede the verb in Spanish. For example:

¿Donde está Juan?
Lo vi en el bar  (Him saw in the bar)

 Of course, the subject is elliptical here too, and this relates to the
previous question. But, in case I decide not to analyse Theme as elliptical
subject "I", do you think is better to analyse Theme as just the pronount
"Lo" (first experiential element) or both the pronoun and the verb?

I will be looking forward to your comments!!

Susana

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