Journal | Rassegna iberistica
Journal issue | 40 | 108 | 2017
Research Article | Other Observations about otro

Other Observations about otro

Abstract

In modern Spanish otro shows complex properties. In some cases it behaves like a quantifier, in other cases like an adjective, and in others like an indefinite determiner. Studying the interpretive and syntactic behaviour of this element, this article shows that otro is a determiner-like adjective that contributes to define the referential index of the noun phrase. I show that this was the case in Old Spanish and that it is the case in modern Italian. For this reason, I propose that in indefinite contexts an unpronounced determiner UN enters syntax in the head of the DP and otro must move to the Spec.DP position. Furthermore, I argue that the two readings of otro, i.e. “a further token(s) of x” and “a further type(s)/kind(s) of x”, are associated with two different positions inside the extended projections of the NP.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Submitted: Feb. 21, 2017 | Accepted: June 5, 2017 | Published Dec. 13, 2017 | Language: es

Keywords ItalianDeterminer-like adjectiveSpanishExtended projection of the noun phraseSilent head


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