Original scientific paper
On the syntax, semantics and pragmatics of some subject-like NPs in Croatian
Branimir Belaj
Dubravko Kučanda
Abstract
This paper analyzes the syntactic, semantic and pragmatic properties of datives in sentences
like Iskliznuo mi je tanjur iz ruke (lit. ’Slipped to me is plate from hand’) and Vru}e mi je
(lit. ’To me is hot’). The first sentence contains two possible candidates for the subject function:
the dative mi, which has some semantic and pragmatic subject properties, and the
nominative NP tanjur, which controls agreement. The second sentence contains only the
dative pronoun, which has the semantic and pragmatic but no syntactic subject properties.
At first blush it seems that the first sentence has two subjects none of which, to paraphrase
Keenan (1976), has a clear preponderance of subject–like properties. In this paper we shall
argue that such non–canonical subject–like NPs are best described as quasi subjects, i. e., as
NPs which have some morphosyntactic or semantic/pragmatic properties of subjects, but not
sufficient properties to qualify as the subject of the sentence.
Keywords
subject; quasi subject; syntactic functions of datives; morphosyntax; semantics; pragmatics; Croatian
Hrčak ID:
19455
URI
Publication date:
5.2.2007.
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