Events
SIL talk: Boban Asenijević
Speaker: Boban Asenijević, University of Graz
Title: From intensification to reflexivization and back
Date: 12 September
Time: 16:00-17:00
Place: Ms Teams
Abstract:
It has been observed in the literature that a strong link exists cross-linguistically between intensified and reflexive pronouns (König & Siemund 2005, É. Kiss & Mus 2022, a.o.). Various patterns are attested: reflexive pronouns (i.e. anaphors) which are at the same time intensifiers (such as the English pro-self), reflexive pronouns which are the same as intensified pronouns, i.e. the reflexivizer is at the same time an intensifier (such as the Dravidian tann/taan), as well as independent reflexive pronouns and intensified pronouns, where intensified pronouns can be bound in the reflexive way, unlike other non-reflexive pronouns (as in the case of Slavic se(b)- and sam).
(1) a. He himself criticizes himself.
b. അവൻ താനേ ക്രിറ്റിസൈസ്അ വനെ താനേ
avan thaane critticisa vane thaane
he self criticize him self
‘He himself criticized himself.’ (also: ‘Hei himself criticized himj himself.’)
c. On sam je kritikovao sebe (samog).
he self aux criticized refl self
’He himself criticized (the very) himself.’
I propose an analysis on which the full-fledged intensifier contrasts the referent of the highest degree of aboutness within the topic situation with some salient set of alternatives. This results either in the contrastive topic status of this referent (when (1) answers the question Who does his group criticize?), or in the identification of the topic and focus (when (1) answers the question Who criticizes him?). I further discuss the sources and role of logophoricity.
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For further information, including the abstract for the talk, check out our website: https://syntaxif.wp.hum.uu.nl/sil-talk-by-boban-arsenijevic-university-of-graz/
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We’re looking forward to seeing lots of you on Thursday September 12!
The organisers of the Syntax Interface Lectures,
Marta Massaia, Joanna Wall, and Lex Cloin-Tavenier.