Extended Argument Structure

Our lexical relational analysis of the progressive construction is based on Mateu's (1999) theory of Relational Semantics. Drawing empirical evidence from cross-linguistic studies, we argue that the progressive involves a nominalization process that joins a locative unaccusative structure and t...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Mateu Fontanals, Jaume|||0000-0003-4469-9944, Amadas Simon, Laia
Format: article
Publication Date:1999
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:2208
Online Access:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/2208
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Progressive aspect
Unaccusativity
Argument structure
Relational Semantics
Aspecte progressiu
Inacusativitat
Estructura argumental
Semàntica Relacional
Description
Summary:Our lexical relational analysis of the progressive construction is based on Mateu's (1999) theory of Relational Semantics. Drawing empirical evidence from cross-linguistic studies, we argue that the progressive involves a nominalization process that joins a locative unaccusative structure and the argument structure corresponding to the lexical verb. As a result, the unspecified Ground of the unaccusative structure in which the Figure is «centrally located» turns out to be the entire event coded by the lexical verb. Furthermore, a structurally-based solution of the so-called «Imperfective Paradox» is then pursued. Empirical evidence in favor of our analysis of the progressive is also shown to come from «thematically transparent» languages like Basque, where a different argument structure involves a different case assignment.