Speaker: Nerea Madariaga (University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU)

Title: Exploring the relation between person features and null subjects in generative typology

Time: 4.30-6.30pm

Place: English Faculty, G-R05 and online (here)

Abstract: This study investigates the loci and ways of realization of those features linked to the pro-drop phenomenon, that is, the ability of languages to leave arguments unrealized or partially expressed. The investigation adopts a “generative typological” approach by defining the values of pro-drop properties, as predicted by different hypotheses in the generative literature, in a balanced 200-language sample built on the Ethnologue-based template proposed by Miestamo, Bakker, and Arppe (2016). We examine how the relevant properties and elements are realized, and the contexts and conditions in which they remain unexpressed, together with other related patterns of referentiality and verbal morphology (the properties analysed: definite and/or generic null subjects, expletive subjects, person agreement, article system, embedded finite control, postverbal subjects, and tense morphology). This is an on-going study; therefore, for the time being, this presentation will include those languages corresponding to the macro-regions of Africa, Eurasia, South-East Asia and Oceania.