Sintaxa ca mod de a fi. Omagiu Gabrielei Pană Dindelegan, la aniversare, p. 29
ISBN:
978-606-16-0846-1
Editors:
Adina Dragomirescu, Alexandru Nicolae, Camelia Stan, Rodica Zafiu
Publisher:
Editura Universității din București
Place:
București
Year:
2017
Abstract:
Much previous research describes differential object marking systems in relation to two semantic hierarchies: the definiteness and the animacy scales. The status of these hierarchies is, however, controversial. According to some studies, they are descriptive statements, with no explanatory power. There are also studies which argue that (some) scales constrain synchronic grammars, language change, and language acquisition, i.e. they are true universals. In the present study we explore the potential of semantic hierarchies to constrain the diachronic evolution of differential object marking in Romanian. The results provide evidence that the structure of the scale generally reflects frequency of distribution across stages. Proper names and definite pronouns are marked robustly earlier than definite and indefinite descriptive DPs. DOM preferentially applies to [+human] DPs. But the answer with respect to whether the ordering on the scales is reflected in the steps in language change is not obvious on inspection of the data.
Key words:
DOM, semantic scales, animacy, definiteness, Romanian
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Journal “Diacronia” ISSN: 2393-1140 Frequency: 2 issues / year