Journal | Balcania et Slavia
Monographic journal issue | 4 | 1 | 2024
Research Article | Agreement, Case and Definiteness in Balkan Existential Constructions
Agreement, Case and Definiteness in Balkan Existential Constructions
Abstract
This paper discusses agreement and definiteness effects in existential constructions in Balkan existentials constructions. I build on the restriction on definiteness properties of existential pivots known as definiteness effect: post-copular pivots in existentials have to be indefinite. In Balkan languages, the contrast is also signaled by the use of a dedicated copula exhibiting singular neuter agreement. I argue that existential pivots are interpreted as semantic objects, as evidenced by the assignment of non-nominative case. I propose that existential copulas take two nominals: the post-copular pivot and a pre-copular null expletive, which behaves as the subject of the construction.
Submitted: May 1, 2024 | Published Dec. 12, 2024 | Language: en
Keywords existentials • syntax • agreement • expletives • definiteness • case
Copyright © 2024 Alberto Frasson. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/BES/2785-3187/2024/01/001
