Copular Sentences in Russian: A Theory of Intra-Clausal Relations (Studies in Natural Language and Linguistic Theory, 70)

This book provides a detailed study and a novel Minimalist account of copular sentences in Russian, focusing on case marking alternations (nominative vs. instrumental) and drawing a distinction between two types of copular sentences. On the assumption that Merge is defined in the simplest way possible, it is argued that not all syntactic structures are a(nti)symmetrical. One of the copular sentence types is analyzed as a poster child for symmetrical structures, while the other type is treated as asymmetrical. The originality of this study lies in treating the copula in the two types of copular sentences neither as completely identical nor as two distinct lexical items; instead, the two types of copula are derived through the process of semantic bleaching. Furthermore, it is argued that the two types of the copula need to combine with post-copular phrases of different categories. It is concluded that Russian draws a distinction between saturated DPs and unsaturated NPs, in spite of its renowned lack of overt articles. "This book provides a detailed study and a novel Minimalist account of copular sentences in Russian, focusing on case marking alternations (nominative vs. instrumental) and drawing a distinction between two types of copular sentences." "On the assumption that Merge is defined in the simplest way possible, it is argued that not all syntactic structures are a(nti)symmetrical. One of the copular sentence types is analyzed as a poster child for symmetrical structures, while the other type is treated as asymmetrical. The originality of this study lies in treating the copula in the two types of copular sentences neither as completely identical nor as two distinct lexical items; instead, the two types of copula are derived through the process of semantic bleaching. Furthermore, it is argued that the two types of the copula need to combine with post-copular phrases of different categories. It is concluded that Russian draws a distinction between saturated DPs and unsaturated NPs, in spite of its renowned lack of overt articles. Written for: Researchers working in syntax, specifically within the Chomskyan paradigm."--BOOK JACKET Copular Sentences In Russian: An Overview....Pages 1-15 Nouns And Their Extended Projections....Pages 17-37 Phrase Structural Relations And Merge: Symmetry Or Antisymmetry?....Pages 39-57 Thematic Relations....Pages 59-102 Case Relations....Pages 103-136 Conclusion....Pages 137-138 0perelpre.pdf -1 0perel01.pdf -1 0perel02.pdf -1 0perel03.pdf -1 0perel04.pdf -1 0perel05.pdf -1 0perel06.pdf -1 0perelack.pdf -1 0perelnotes.pdf -1 0perelref.pdf -1 0pereladv.pdf -1