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Transparent Adjuncts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2016

Claudia Borgonovo  and
Ad Neeleman
Claudia Borgonovo
Affiliation:
Université Laval
Ad Neeleman
Affiliation:
University College, London
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Abstract

This article explores an unexpected extraction pattern out of adjuncts, as in What did John die whistling? and What did John hurt himself trying to fix? in English. This type of extraction is possible if the adjuncts are predicative and the matrix verbs are either ergative or (inherent) reflexive. The predicativity of the adjuncts is essential in getting these adjuncts interpreted as arguments; this requires coindexation with a thematic role of the verb, which is shown to obtain. Once transparent adjuncts are integrated into the thematic structure of the clause, the resulting representation exhibits the hallmarks of reflexivity. Reflexive predicates must receive appropriate marking. This explains the second requirement on transparent adjuncts: the matrix verbs are precisely of the type capable of licensing reflexivity.

Résumé

Résumé

Cet article examine des phénomènes d’extraction grammaticale à partir d’adjoints, du type What did John die whistling? et What did John hurt himself trying to fix? en anglais. Cette extraction est possible lorsque l’adjoint est un prédicat et le verbe principal est ergatif ou réflexif. Le caractère prédicatif de l’adjoint permet qu’il soit interprété comme un argument, ce qui requiert la coïndexation avec un rôle thématique du verbe. Les adjoints transparents étant ainsi intégrés dans la structure thématique de la phrase, la représentation qui en résulte est formellement réflexive. La réflexivité d’un prédicat doit être légitimée par une marque explicite, ce qui explique la deuxième condition imposée aux adjoints transparents, c’est-à-dire que le verbe principal soit un ergatif ou un réflexif.

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Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Linguistics/Revue canadienne de linguistique , Volume 45 , Issue 3-4 , December 2000 , pp. 199 - 224
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Linguistic Association 2000

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