16.3455, Diss: Morphology/Syntax: Sedighi: 'Subject-Predicate...'

[LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-16-3455. Sat Dec 03 2005. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 16.3455, Diss: Morphology/Syntax: Sedighi: 'Subject-Predicate...'

Moderators: Anthony Aristar, Wayne State U <aristar at linguistlist.org>
            Helen Aristar-Dry, Eastern Michigan U <hdry at linguistlist.org>
 
Reviews (reviews at linguistlist.org) 
        Sheila Dooley, U of Arizona  
        Terry Langendoen, U of Arizona  

Homepage: http://linguistlist.org/

The LINGUIST List is funded by Eastern Michigan University, Wayne
State University, and donations from subscribers and publishers.

Editor for this issue: Meredith Valant <meredith at linguistlist.org>
================================================================  

To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at
http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.html.


===========================Directory==============================  

1)
Date: 02-Dec-2005
From: Anousha Sedighi < sedighi at pdx.edu >
Subject: Subject-Predicate Agreement Restrictions in Persian 

	
-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 23:20:15
From: Anousha Sedighi < sedighi at pdx.edu >
Subject: Subject-Predicate Agreement Restrictions in Persian 
 


Institution: University of Ottawa 
Program: Department of Linguistics 
Dissertation Status: Completed 
Degree Date: 2005 

Author: Anousha Sedighi

Dissertation Title: Subject-Predicate Agreement Restrictions in Persian 

Linguistic Field(s): Morphology
                     Syntax

Subject Language(s): Farsi, Western (pes)


Dissertation Director(s):
María Luisa Rivero

Dissertation Abstract:

This work investigates two distinct constructions which appear to induce a
constraint on verbal agreement. The first construction involves inanimate
plural subjects and verbs appearing in third person singular/default
morphology. Adopting the framework of Distributed Morphology which has
recently been used as a key to capturing several agreement restrictions in
languages, I propose that the restriction caused by Animacy in Persian
resides in post-syntactic morphology through an impoverishment operation.
The second construction I study contains Psychological predicates which
have not been entirely explored from the point of view of Psychological
Constructions in the previous literature. The nominative experiencer does
not induce agreement on the verb and the verb appears in third person
singular, which provides evidence for separation of agreement and
Nominative case assignment. I argue that the lack of verbal agreement in
Persian Psychological constructions is only apparent and I provide evidence
to show that they do not involve compound verbs. I propose that these
constructions have a Tense requirement and involve applied arguments. The
experiencer is licensed by a Super High Applicative head which takes a TP
(a sentential predication/full proposition) as complement. Furthermore, I
propose that the Super High Applicative phrase is a strong phase, a new
category to be added to the set of strong phases proposed by Chomsky 1999-2004. 




-----------------------------------------------------------
LINGUIST List: Vol-16-3455