-ear has become a highly productive option in denominal verb formation in Spanish. The unparallel... more -ear has become a highly productive option in denominal verb formation in Spanish. The unparalleled productivity and range of verb classes obtained invites us to revisit fundamental questions on verb formation and interpretation: e.g., which domain (lexical/syntactic/semantic) primarily drives and constrains denominal verb use and interpretation, which verb types are possible, whether or not a canonical use constraint can correctly predict and capture the role of the root in verb meaning, as assumed in mainstream accounts. Based on analytical and (preliminary) experimental data, we consider syntactic and semantic (aspectual) behavior of denominal verbs, including both traditional and novel verbs with -ear. We observe that: (i) productive types include verb classes untapped in the existent literature; (ii) the range of verb classes obtained coincides with a significant range of possible interpretations and uses, suggesting that a ‘same’ verb (lexical and morphotactic composition) can be associated with distinct structural configurations; (iii) the interpretation is highly sensitive to the grammatical context. We argue that (i) verb meaning and behavior are not deterministically driven by one (e.g., lexical/conceptual) domain but rather in interaction; (ii) syntax plays a nontrivial role in verb meaning/interpretation; (iii) non-univocity arises as a distinctive property of ear verbs.
This paper puts forward an l-syntactic account of non-trivially alternating copulas ser/estar bui... more This paper puts forward an l-syntactic account of non-trivially alternating copulas ser/estar building on incorporation of a prepositional head (p*). I propose that p* is to be seen a locus of encoding and variation of the relevant properties whereby ser/estar diverge, but also as the element constraining selection and interpretation of the predicate. First, I use the distinction between telicity and boundedness as starting point for developing a reformulation of the Hale-and-Keyserian analysis of ser/estar that supports a new typology of p heads within the Central Coincidence domain. This is important to capture wider sets of corpus and analytic data, but also in order to reflect an adequate division of work between verbal (Aktionsart) and constructional aspect. Then, I propose a novel implementation based on p-conflation and Hyponym Argument Relations. If correct, the analysis handles different facts, at the same time that it brings ser/estar into a much ampler frame.
RESUMEN. Este trabajo apunta a ofrecer una perspectiva de observación y de análisis del fenómeno ... more RESUMEN. Este trabajo apunta a ofrecer una perspectiva de observación y de análisis del fenómeno que supone una alternancia copular léxicamente no trivial, como la constituida por ser/estar, especialmente orientada a la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera (ELE). En particular, se reparará en distintos hechos que indican cómo esta alternancia es significativa a distintos niveles relativos al significado abarcando (a) propiedades semánticas de cada cópula-relevantes para la selección del complemento adjetival y no explicables desde modelos composicionales-; así como (b) el efecto de combinación de estar con adjetivos (históricamente) derivados de participios perfectos; y (c) ciertos procesos inferenciales que se derivan, por ejemplo, de su carácter contrastivo, difícilmente predecibles para un alumno con otra L1. Así, procederemos al análisis y discusión de algunos de los abordajes teóricos que han considerado la cuestión hasta el momento (tanto los indicados por la tradición gramatical española, como otros más recientes en base a conceptos como perfectividad/telicidad [como rasgos semánticos], transferencia, composicionalidad, coerción, anclaje discursivo), con el objetivo de ofrecer un aporte al estudio y enseñanza de las construcciones copulativas españolas elaborado desde la comparación con la situación más generalizada: aquella planteada por otras lenguas modernas (la gran mayoría) donde las distintas expresiones bajo consideración son articuladas mediante una misma cópula.
Spanish copulas have inspired a vast amount of studies involving a significant number of technica... more Spanish copulas have inspired a vast amount of studies involving a significant number of technical concepts in their description. Against this background, we concentrate on the need to refine the technical parameters used, focusing on the linguistic domains where they are encoded and on the distinction between lexical and constructional semantics. Building on specific tests, we propose that ser and estar: (i) depart from both the standard notion of copula (semantically trivial verb) and of stative verb (lacking temporal structure) and are at least ambiguous as for the eventive type of construction they render; (ii) that many properties observed in the literature do not actually ensue from to the copula per se, but rather from the construction they head; (iii) and that the parameter boundedness best captures their situation, as long as it is conceived as a different semantic property, logically distinguishable from perfectivity telicity.
This poster was presented on 2021 April 8 - 11 at the 39th meeting of the West Coast Conference o... more This poster was presented on 2021 April 8 - 11 at the 39th meeting of the West Coast Conference on Formal Linguistics.<br>Provided abstract:Intransitive Causatives (ICs) suggest an underexplored argument structure realization in verbs entering the causative alternation, with implications for argument structure and verb formation. An (inanimate) subject is licensed as the sole argument, naturally interpreted as a possible cause. The undergoer is semantically and syntactically unrealized. ICs challenge major claims on argument structure and causative alternation and reveal major productive asymmetry between English (1) and Romance (2).<br><br><i>For inquiries regarding the contents of this dataset, please contact the Corresponding Author listed in the README.txt file. Administrative inquiries (e.g., removal requests, trouble downloading, etc.) can be directed to data-management@arizona.edu</i><br><i>This item is part of the "39th West Coa...
El presente trabajo explora indicios empiricos en espanol de un tipo de alternancia argumental po... more El presente trabajo explora indicios empiricos en espanol de un tipo de alternancia argumental poco estudiada en general, la alternancia nominativo-dativa, y el potencial vinculo con la construccion de doble objeto [OC]. Si bien el fenomeno general –alternanciasde transitividad – ha sido mayoritariamente estudiado en ingles como base de tipologizaciones verbales fundamentales (e.g. Levin 1993), la lengua espanola tambien comprende patrones especificos, algunos de las cuales recien a ser registrarse formalmente (e.g. en trabajos comparativos sobre ELE). Aqui partimos de estos datos para centrarnos en un fenomeno que, hasta donde llega nuestro conocimiento, se supone no disponible en la lengua espanola. Nos referimos a la creciente productividad en formas pasivas que sugieren la posibilidad presencia sistematica en la lengua espanola de una construccion de doble objeto [double object construction], como alternativa a la construccion ditransitiva standard. En conjunto, la aparicion de ...
Current trends in analyzing syntactic variation, 2017
The causative-inchoative alternation has been a subject of much debate. It might also be a case w... more The causative-inchoative alternation has been a subject of much debate. It might also be a case where variation patterns that escape existing typological descriptions provide a new perspective on the problem. We analyze the variability and systematicity of alternative argument structure realizations, together with corresponding aspectual/event properties, by considering three different ways in which change-of-state verbs can be semantically and syntactically construed in Romance. Under the general assumption that the syntactic projection of arguments correlates non-trivially with event structure, we apply a novel theoretical approach to the semantics and syntax of the causative-inchoative alternation. We argue that different verbal heads can be independently combined to yield contrasting verbal configurations, with corresponding event/argument structure properties quite freely. Alongside standard cases such as causative and inchoative frames, we discuss what we call ‘stative-causati...
En contraste con otras lenguas que sólo cuentan con una cópula pura (@ be), el español presenta c... more En contraste con otras lenguas que sólo cuentan con una cópula pura (@ be), el español presenta cópulas con propiedades semánticas divergentes, léxicamente codificadas como parte de su significado (ergo, no explicables desde concepciones composicionales [morfológicas o sintácticas] de la aspectualidad). En este sentido, planteamos que la definición tradicional de estado (atemporal, no eventivo) no permite captar las divergencias expuestas por las cópulas españolas ante los diagnósticos regularmente empleados para la telicidad, ni predecir ciertos hechos lingüísticos, como la ambigüedad de las cláusulas generadas a partir de estar entre una situación extensiva (homogénea) y una situación incoativa (no homogénea); distinción relevante en tanto sólo la segunda modalidad sería felizmente descripta a través del concepto de telicidad indicado en numerosos estudios. A su vez, las diferencias en el comportamiento de ser y estar desafían la tradicional asociación verbo de estado/homogeneidad. Hipótesis: la delimitación temporal [boundedness] del estado expresado mediante estar explicaría (i) ocurrencias en los contextos no previstos por el análisis tradicional, (ii) admisión de adjuntos de framing y endpoint y (iii) posibilidad de ambigüedad entre lectura extensiva/incoativa (télica). Metodología: análisis de ambigüedad entre lectura extensiva/eventiva en combinación con homogeneidad, lectura posterior y pausa. Como resultado, se distinguen formalmente tres tipos de situaciones aspectualmente diferentes. PALABRAS CLAVE: ambigüedad extensiva/eventiva; homogeneidad; incoatividad; predicado de estado; telicidad; delimitación aspectual; cópula.
Studies in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics, 2013
The case of estar may reveal how different proposals of study have failed to grasp grammatically ... more The case of estar may reveal how different proposals of study have failed to grasp grammatically relevant semantic features shared by its occurrences. The results of this study indicate that an integrative analysis of estar clauses would account not only for the consistent lexical properties observed - comprising (a)analogous lexical-syntactic structure predicting possible copular complements, (b)analogous selectional restrictions and (c)interpretative effects -, but also for the complementary distribution of two aspectually nontrivial verbal alternations (ser / estar and estar / haber). Our proposal lays on the standard syntactic structure of copular clauses - assumed to embrace locative clauses, against what traditional Spanish grammar suggests - in combination with (i) the structural analogy between estar’s alternative complements (APs and PPs) and (ii) the understanding of states as abstract spatial domains (be at). Thus, the eventual differences between clauses like ‘estoy tris...
Iberia an International Journal of Theoretical Linguistics, 2013
The present paper focuses on cases challenging the classical definition of the Spanish copula est... more The present paper focuses on cases challenging the classical definition of the Spanish copula estar (e.g., stage-level, temporary or unstable predication) and patterning with Individual-Level Predicates (associated, by definition, with ser, rather than with estar) instead. Nevertheless, data also indicates that the choice for estar over ser is not semantically nor syntactically trivial even in those contexts where similar aspectual implications are engaged. Accordingly, we aim to show that (i)the semantic properties setting estar occurrences apart from ser follow from its primary (locative) meaning (even when delivering IL predicates); and that (ii)an implied comparison model of analysis can be readjusted in order to capture the two kind of predications rendered by estar in consonance with its primary (locative) seamantic properties. Moreover, we will claim that locative content may correctly account for different facets of meaning classically ascribed to this copula (e.g., contrastiveness, subjectivity) as well as for the semantic and syntactic restrictions imposed on both the DP and AP.
This paper puts forward an l-syntactic account of non-trivially alternating copulas ser/estar bui... more This paper puts forward an l-syntactic account of non-trivially alternating copulas ser/estar building on incorporation of a prepositional head (p*). I propose that p* is to be seen a locus of encoding and variation of the relevant properties whereby ser/estar diverge, but also as the element constraining selection and interpretation of the predicate. First, I use the distinction between telicity and boundedness as starting point for developing a reformulation of the Hale-and-Keyserian analysis of ser/estar that supports a new typology of p heads within the Central Coincidence domain. This is important to capture wider sets of corpus and analytic data, but also in order to reflect an adequate division of work between verbal (Aktionsart) and constructional aspect. Then, I propose a novel implementation based on p-conflation and Hyponym Argument Relations. If correct, the analysis handles different facts, at the same time that it brings ser/estar into a much ampler frame.
Resumen. Este trabajo apunta a ofrecer una perspectiva de observacion y de analisis del fenomeno ... more Resumen. Este trabajo apunta a ofrecer una perspectiva de observacion y de analisis del fenomeno que supone una alternancia copular lexicamente no trivial, como la constituida por ser/estar , especialmente orientada a la ensenanza del espanol como lengua extranjera (ELE). En particular, se reparara en distintos hechos que indican como esta alternancia es significativa a distintos niveles relativos al significado abarcando (a) propiedades semanticas de cada copula — relevantes para la seleccion del complemento adjetival y no explicables desde modelos composicionales — ; asi como (b) el efecto de combinacion de estar con adjetivos (historicamente) derivados de participios perfectos; y (c) ciertos procesos inferenciales que se derivan, por ejemplo, de su caracter contrastivo, dificilmente predecibles para un alumno con otra L1. Asi, procederemos al analisis y discusion de algunos de los abordajes teoricos que han considerado la cuestion hasta el momento (tanto los indicados por la trad...
In this paper we propose a brief analysis of certain parametric differences posed by change-ofsta... more In this paper we propose a brief analysis of certain parametric differences posed by change-ofstate predicates in English, Italian and Spanish.The observations deal with patterns determined by the incorporation of semantic components within the verbal frame and generalizations about argument and/or eventive structure of inchoativepredicates. Specifically, we propose that certain events in SFL suggest the need to consider (a) variations in the morphosyntactic realization of these predicates in English and Spanish which can be predicted in a systematic and generalizable way from parametric patterns of Path conflation; and that (b) Romance languages challenge the standard structure of causative/inchoative predicates and the corresponding generalizations established so far.
The present paper focuses on Italian existential structures and onthe incidence of the clitic ci,... more The present paper focuses on Italian existential structures and onthe incidence of the clitic ci, allegedly locative, in the interpretationof the whole clause predicate, aiming to find out a link between theclitic's presence and the notorious changes in the lexical and syntacticconfiguration of the base verb. The comparisons made with Catalan,French and Spanish are intended to support such a hypothesis,given that these languages take haber as base verb for existentialstructures, whose possessive meaning has been confirmed in the firsttwo languages, a value that seems to be subdued in the presence ofthe element required (hi o y, respectively) in favour of the existentialinterpretation of constructions such as haver-hi o il y ha.
ResumenLa productividad del sufijo -ear es una fuente importante de formacion de una significativ... more ResumenLa productividad del sufijo -ear es una fuente importante de formacion de una significativa cantidad de verbos en las lenguas romances. En el caso del espanol, en particular del espanol rioplatense, cualquiera sea el registro que se considere, se advierte la constante aparicion de nuevas formas como las listadas en (1). Estos verbos proponen un interesante caso de estudio y permiten avanzar en el conocimiento de distintas cuestiones involucradas en la estructuracion verbal, los formativos disponibles en la lengua y los efectos de distintas variables involucradas, por ejemplo parrillear, terracear, icardear, mambear, whatsappear (1). Nuestro analisis parte de las siguientes preguntas: ?cual es la lectura/interpretacion de cada serie? Los derivados obtenidos, ?suponen condiciones formales (semanticas y sintacticas) identicas o marcan, mas bien, alternativas relevantes dentro de un conjunto morfologico aparentemente homogeneo? Por ultimo ?cual es la naturaleza de la raiz lexica ...
El presente estudio propone considerar al adverbio como indicador de diferencias estructurales en... more El presente estudio propone considerar al adverbio como indicador de diferencias estructurales en las categorias complementadas. Una perspectiva construccionista no derivacional, con una articulacion estructural en la que el V se desagrega maximamente, permite identificar variables definidas en la formacion del verbo, a traves de las distintas relaciones predicativas establecidas entre la propiedad designada por la raiz lexica y los argumentos verbales. Se distinguen cuatro clases naturales segun la funcion semantico-sintactica de Adv, con dos subtipos determinados en relacion a la predicacion secundaria. Estos casos se definen con respecto a una instancia en la cual Adv no establece una relacion semantica equiparable, sea identificando una alternativa de participacion sintactica (aplicativo alto), sea marcando contrastes relativos al nivel eventivo (vP). Las preocupaciones centrales pasan por (i) el aporte semantico de la raiz lexica; (ii) las variables semanticas determinadas por ...
The causative-inchoative alternation has been a subject of much debate. It might also be a case w... more The causative-inchoative alternation has been a subject of much debate. It might also be a case where variation patterns that escape existing typologi-cal descriptions provide a new perspective on the problem. We analyze the variability and systematicity of alternative argument structure realizations, together with corresponding aspectual/event properties, by considering three different ways in which change-of-state verbs can be semantically and syntactically construed in Romance. Under the general assumption that the syntactic projection of arguments correlates non-trivially with event structure , we apply a novel theoretical approach to the semantics and syntax of the causative-inchoative alternation. We argue that different verbal heads can be independently combined to yield contrasting verbal configurations, with corresponding event/argument structure properties quite freely. Alongside standard cases such as causative and inchoative frames, we discuss what we call 'stative-c...
-ear has become a highly productive option in denominal verb formation in Spanish. The unparallel... more -ear has become a highly productive option in denominal verb formation in Spanish. The unparalleled productivity and range of verb classes obtained invites us to revisit fundamental questions on verb formation and interpretation: e.g., which domain (lexical/syntactic/semantic) primarily drives and constrains denominal verb use and interpretation, which verb types are possible, whether or not a canonical use constraint can correctly predict and capture the role of the root in verb meaning, as assumed in mainstream accounts. Based on analytical and (preliminary) experimental data, we consider syntactic and semantic (aspectual) behavior of denominal verbs, including both traditional and novel verbs with -ear. We observe that: (i) productive types include verb classes untapped in the existent literature; (ii) the range of verb classes obtained coincides with a significant range of possible interpretations and uses, suggesting that a ‘same’ verb (lexical and morphotactic composition) can be associated with distinct structural configurations; (iii) the interpretation is highly sensitive to the grammatical context. We argue that (i) verb meaning and behavior are not deterministically driven by one (e.g., lexical/conceptual) domain but rather in interaction; (ii) syntax plays a nontrivial role in verb meaning/interpretation; (iii) non-univocity arises as a distinctive property of ear verbs.
This paper puts forward an l-syntactic account of non-trivially alternating copulas ser/estar bui... more This paper puts forward an l-syntactic account of non-trivially alternating copulas ser/estar building on incorporation of a prepositional head (p*). I propose that p* is to be seen a locus of encoding and variation of the relevant properties whereby ser/estar diverge, but also as the element constraining selection and interpretation of the predicate. First, I use the distinction between telicity and boundedness as starting point for developing a reformulation of the Hale-and-Keyserian analysis of ser/estar that supports a new typology of p heads within the Central Coincidence domain. This is important to capture wider sets of corpus and analytic data, but also in order to reflect an adequate division of work between verbal (Aktionsart) and constructional aspect. Then, I propose a novel implementation based on p-conflation and Hyponym Argument Relations. If correct, the analysis handles different facts, at the same time that it brings ser/estar into a much ampler frame.
RESUMEN. Este trabajo apunta a ofrecer una perspectiva de observación y de análisis del fenómeno ... more RESUMEN. Este trabajo apunta a ofrecer una perspectiva de observación y de análisis del fenómeno que supone una alternancia copular léxicamente no trivial, como la constituida por ser/estar, especialmente orientada a la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera (ELE). En particular, se reparará en distintos hechos que indican cómo esta alternancia es significativa a distintos niveles relativos al significado abarcando (a) propiedades semánticas de cada cópula-relevantes para la selección del complemento adjetival y no explicables desde modelos composicionales-; así como (b) el efecto de combinación de estar con adjetivos (históricamente) derivados de participios perfectos; y (c) ciertos procesos inferenciales que se derivan, por ejemplo, de su carácter contrastivo, difícilmente predecibles para un alumno con otra L1. Así, procederemos al análisis y discusión de algunos de los abordajes teóricos que han considerado la cuestión hasta el momento (tanto los indicados por la tradición gramatical española, como otros más recientes en base a conceptos como perfectividad/telicidad [como rasgos semánticos], transferencia, composicionalidad, coerción, anclaje discursivo), con el objetivo de ofrecer un aporte al estudio y enseñanza de las construcciones copulativas españolas elaborado desde la comparación con la situación más generalizada: aquella planteada por otras lenguas modernas (la gran mayoría) donde las distintas expresiones bajo consideración son articuladas mediante una misma cópula.
Spanish copulas have inspired a vast amount of studies involving a significant number of technica... more Spanish copulas have inspired a vast amount of studies involving a significant number of technical concepts in their description. Against this background, we concentrate on the need to refine the technical parameters used, focusing on the linguistic domains where they are encoded and on the distinction between lexical and constructional semantics. Building on specific tests, we propose that ser and estar: (i) depart from both the standard notion of copula (semantically trivial verb) and of stative verb (lacking temporal structure) and are at least ambiguous as for the eventive type of construction they render; (ii) that many properties observed in the literature do not actually ensue from to the copula per se, but rather from the construction they head; (iii) and that the parameter boundedness best captures their situation, as long as it is conceived as a different semantic property, logically distinguishable from perfectivity telicity.
This poster was presented on 2021 April 8 - 11 at the 39th meeting of the West Coast Conference o... more This poster was presented on 2021 April 8 - 11 at the 39th meeting of the West Coast Conference on Formal Linguistics.<br>Provided abstract:Intransitive Causatives (ICs) suggest an underexplored argument structure realization in verbs entering the causative alternation, with implications for argument structure and verb formation. An (inanimate) subject is licensed as the sole argument, naturally interpreted as a possible cause. The undergoer is semantically and syntactically unrealized. ICs challenge major claims on argument structure and causative alternation and reveal major productive asymmetry between English (1) and Romance (2).<br><br><i>For inquiries regarding the contents of this dataset, please contact the Corresponding Author listed in the README.txt file. Administrative inquiries (e.g., removal requests, trouble downloading, etc.) can be directed to data-management@arizona.edu</i><br><i>This item is part of the "39th West Coa...
El presente trabajo explora indicios empiricos en espanol de un tipo de alternancia argumental po... more El presente trabajo explora indicios empiricos en espanol de un tipo de alternancia argumental poco estudiada en general, la alternancia nominativo-dativa, y el potencial vinculo con la construccion de doble objeto [OC]. Si bien el fenomeno general –alternanciasde transitividad – ha sido mayoritariamente estudiado en ingles como base de tipologizaciones verbales fundamentales (e.g. Levin 1993), la lengua espanola tambien comprende patrones especificos, algunos de las cuales recien a ser registrarse formalmente (e.g. en trabajos comparativos sobre ELE). Aqui partimos de estos datos para centrarnos en un fenomeno que, hasta donde llega nuestro conocimiento, se supone no disponible en la lengua espanola. Nos referimos a la creciente productividad en formas pasivas que sugieren la posibilidad presencia sistematica en la lengua espanola de una construccion de doble objeto [double object construction], como alternativa a la construccion ditransitiva standard. En conjunto, la aparicion de ...
Current trends in analyzing syntactic variation, 2017
The causative-inchoative alternation has been a subject of much debate. It might also be a case w... more The causative-inchoative alternation has been a subject of much debate. It might also be a case where variation patterns that escape existing typological descriptions provide a new perspective on the problem. We analyze the variability and systematicity of alternative argument structure realizations, together with corresponding aspectual/event properties, by considering three different ways in which change-of-state verbs can be semantically and syntactically construed in Romance. Under the general assumption that the syntactic projection of arguments correlates non-trivially with event structure, we apply a novel theoretical approach to the semantics and syntax of the causative-inchoative alternation. We argue that different verbal heads can be independently combined to yield contrasting verbal configurations, with corresponding event/argument structure properties quite freely. Alongside standard cases such as causative and inchoative frames, we discuss what we call ‘stative-causati...
En contraste con otras lenguas que sólo cuentan con una cópula pura (@ be), el español presenta c... more En contraste con otras lenguas que sólo cuentan con una cópula pura (@ be), el español presenta cópulas con propiedades semánticas divergentes, léxicamente codificadas como parte de su significado (ergo, no explicables desde concepciones composicionales [morfológicas o sintácticas] de la aspectualidad). En este sentido, planteamos que la definición tradicional de estado (atemporal, no eventivo) no permite captar las divergencias expuestas por las cópulas españolas ante los diagnósticos regularmente empleados para la telicidad, ni predecir ciertos hechos lingüísticos, como la ambigüedad de las cláusulas generadas a partir de estar entre una situación extensiva (homogénea) y una situación incoativa (no homogénea); distinción relevante en tanto sólo la segunda modalidad sería felizmente descripta a través del concepto de telicidad indicado en numerosos estudios. A su vez, las diferencias en el comportamiento de ser y estar desafían la tradicional asociación verbo de estado/homogeneidad. Hipótesis: la delimitación temporal [boundedness] del estado expresado mediante estar explicaría (i) ocurrencias en los contextos no previstos por el análisis tradicional, (ii) admisión de adjuntos de framing y endpoint y (iii) posibilidad de ambigüedad entre lectura extensiva/incoativa (télica). Metodología: análisis de ambigüedad entre lectura extensiva/eventiva en combinación con homogeneidad, lectura posterior y pausa. Como resultado, se distinguen formalmente tres tipos de situaciones aspectualmente diferentes. PALABRAS CLAVE: ambigüedad extensiva/eventiva; homogeneidad; incoatividad; predicado de estado; telicidad; delimitación aspectual; cópula.
Studies in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics, 2013
The case of estar may reveal how different proposals of study have failed to grasp grammatically ... more The case of estar may reveal how different proposals of study have failed to grasp grammatically relevant semantic features shared by its occurrences. The results of this study indicate that an integrative analysis of estar clauses would account not only for the consistent lexical properties observed - comprising (a)analogous lexical-syntactic structure predicting possible copular complements, (b)analogous selectional restrictions and (c)interpretative effects -, but also for the complementary distribution of two aspectually nontrivial verbal alternations (ser / estar and estar / haber). Our proposal lays on the standard syntactic structure of copular clauses - assumed to embrace locative clauses, against what traditional Spanish grammar suggests - in combination with (i) the structural analogy between estar’s alternative complements (APs and PPs) and (ii) the understanding of states as abstract spatial domains (be at). Thus, the eventual differences between clauses like ‘estoy tris...
Iberia an International Journal of Theoretical Linguistics, 2013
The present paper focuses on cases challenging the classical definition of the Spanish copula est... more The present paper focuses on cases challenging the classical definition of the Spanish copula estar (e.g., stage-level, temporary or unstable predication) and patterning with Individual-Level Predicates (associated, by definition, with ser, rather than with estar) instead. Nevertheless, data also indicates that the choice for estar over ser is not semantically nor syntactically trivial even in those contexts where similar aspectual implications are engaged. Accordingly, we aim to show that (i)the semantic properties setting estar occurrences apart from ser follow from its primary (locative) meaning (even when delivering IL predicates); and that (ii)an implied comparison model of analysis can be readjusted in order to capture the two kind of predications rendered by estar in consonance with its primary (locative) seamantic properties. Moreover, we will claim that locative content may correctly account for different facets of meaning classically ascribed to this copula (e.g., contrastiveness, subjectivity) as well as for the semantic and syntactic restrictions imposed on both the DP and AP.
This paper puts forward an l-syntactic account of non-trivially alternating copulas ser/estar bui... more This paper puts forward an l-syntactic account of non-trivially alternating copulas ser/estar building on incorporation of a prepositional head (p*). I propose that p* is to be seen a locus of encoding and variation of the relevant properties whereby ser/estar diverge, but also as the element constraining selection and interpretation of the predicate. First, I use the distinction between telicity and boundedness as starting point for developing a reformulation of the Hale-and-Keyserian analysis of ser/estar that supports a new typology of p heads within the Central Coincidence domain. This is important to capture wider sets of corpus and analytic data, but also in order to reflect an adequate division of work between verbal (Aktionsart) and constructional aspect. Then, I propose a novel implementation based on p-conflation and Hyponym Argument Relations. If correct, the analysis handles different facts, at the same time that it brings ser/estar into a much ampler frame.
Resumen. Este trabajo apunta a ofrecer una perspectiva de observacion y de analisis del fenomeno ... more Resumen. Este trabajo apunta a ofrecer una perspectiva de observacion y de analisis del fenomeno que supone una alternancia copular lexicamente no trivial, como la constituida por ser/estar , especialmente orientada a la ensenanza del espanol como lengua extranjera (ELE). En particular, se reparara en distintos hechos que indican como esta alternancia es significativa a distintos niveles relativos al significado abarcando (a) propiedades semanticas de cada copula — relevantes para la seleccion del complemento adjetival y no explicables desde modelos composicionales — ; asi como (b) el efecto de combinacion de estar con adjetivos (historicamente) derivados de participios perfectos; y (c) ciertos procesos inferenciales que se derivan, por ejemplo, de su caracter contrastivo, dificilmente predecibles para un alumno con otra L1. Asi, procederemos al analisis y discusion de algunos de los abordajes teoricos que han considerado la cuestion hasta el momento (tanto los indicados por la trad...
In this paper we propose a brief analysis of certain parametric differences posed by change-ofsta... more In this paper we propose a brief analysis of certain parametric differences posed by change-ofstate predicates in English, Italian and Spanish.The observations deal with patterns determined by the incorporation of semantic components within the verbal frame and generalizations about argument and/or eventive structure of inchoativepredicates. Specifically, we propose that certain events in SFL suggest the need to consider (a) variations in the morphosyntactic realization of these predicates in English and Spanish which can be predicted in a systematic and generalizable way from parametric patterns of Path conflation; and that (b) Romance languages challenge the standard structure of causative/inchoative predicates and the corresponding generalizations established so far.
The present paper focuses on Italian existential structures and onthe incidence of the clitic ci,... more The present paper focuses on Italian existential structures and onthe incidence of the clitic ci, allegedly locative, in the interpretationof the whole clause predicate, aiming to find out a link between theclitic's presence and the notorious changes in the lexical and syntacticconfiguration of the base verb. The comparisons made with Catalan,French and Spanish are intended to support such a hypothesis,given that these languages take haber as base verb for existentialstructures, whose possessive meaning has been confirmed in the firsttwo languages, a value that seems to be subdued in the presence ofthe element required (hi o y, respectively) in favour of the existentialinterpretation of constructions such as haver-hi o il y ha.
ResumenLa productividad del sufijo -ear es una fuente importante de formacion de una significativ... more ResumenLa productividad del sufijo -ear es una fuente importante de formacion de una significativa cantidad de verbos en las lenguas romances. En el caso del espanol, en particular del espanol rioplatense, cualquiera sea el registro que se considere, se advierte la constante aparicion de nuevas formas como las listadas en (1). Estos verbos proponen un interesante caso de estudio y permiten avanzar en el conocimiento de distintas cuestiones involucradas en la estructuracion verbal, los formativos disponibles en la lengua y los efectos de distintas variables involucradas, por ejemplo parrillear, terracear, icardear, mambear, whatsappear (1). Nuestro analisis parte de las siguientes preguntas: ?cual es la lectura/interpretacion de cada serie? Los derivados obtenidos, ?suponen condiciones formales (semanticas y sintacticas) identicas o marcan, mas bien, alternativas relevantes dentro de un conjunto morfologico aparentemente homogeneo? Por ultimo ?cual es la naturaleza de la raiz lexica ...
El presente estudio propone considerar al adverbio como indicador de diferencias estructurales en... more El presente estudio propone considerar al adverbio como indicador de diferencias estructurales en las categorias complementadas. Una perspectiva construccionista no derivacional, con una articulacion estructural en la que el V se desagrega maximamente, permite identificar variables definidas en la formacion del verbo, a traves de las distintas relaciones predicativas establecidas entre la propiedad designada por la raiz lexica y los argumentos verbales. Se distinguen cuatro clases naturales segun la funcion semantico-sintactica de Adv, con dos subtipos determinados en relacion a la predicacion secundaria. Estos casos se definen con respecto a una instancia en la cual Adv no establece una relacion semantica equiparable, sea identificando una alternativa de participacion sintactica (aplicativo alto), sea marcando contrastes relativos al nivel eventivo (vP). Las preocupaciones centrales pasan por (i) el aporte semantico de la raiz lexica; (ii) las variables semanticas determinadas por ...
The causative-inchoative alternation has been a subject of much debate. It might also be a case w... more The causative-inchoative alternation has been a subject of much debate. It might also be a case where variation patterns that escape existing typologi-cal descriptions provide a new perspective on the problem. We analyze the variability and systematicity of alternative argument structure realizations, together with corresponding aspectual/event properties, by considering three different ways in which change-of-state verbs can be semantically and syntactically construed in Romance. Under the general assumption that the syntactic projection of arguments correlates non-trivially with event structure , we apply a novel theoretical approach to the semantics and syntax of the causative-inchoative alternation. We argue that different verbal heads can be independently combined to yield contrasting verbal configurations, with corresponding event/argument structure properties quite freely. Alongside standard cases such as causative and inchoative frames, we discuss what we call 'stative-c...
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Papers by Eugenia Rasia