Let Causatives and (A)symmetric dat‐nom Constructions. (18th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wood, Jim; Sigurðsson, Halldór Ármann
• Is Part Of: Syntax. Volume 17:Number 3(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 269
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2014-07-18
• Subjects: Grammar, Comparative and general -- Syntax -- Periodicals; 415
• DOI: 10.1111/synt.12019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-0005

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="synt12019-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The verb <italic>láta</italic> 'let/make' in Icelandic provides a unique opportunity to understand the behavior of symmetric versus asymmetric <sc>dat‐nom</sc> constructions, as well as the nature of nominative‐accusative case alternations. In this paper, we take a close look at <italic>láta</italic> and examine a set of cases where <sc>dat‐nom</sc> verbs are embedded under <italic>láta</italic>, resulting in the otherwise nominative object becoming accusative in some cases and remaining nominative in others. We propose that phase extension of an Appl head underlies both the availability of accusative in an embedded <sc>dat‐nom</sc> verb and the possibility of A‐moving a nominative object past the dative to the subject position. We further hypothesize that the base‐generated position of the verbal root in the syntax underlies the lexical difference between symmetric and asymmetric <sc>dat‐nom</sc> verbs.</p> </abstract>