Malagasy Backward Object Control

Backward control is an obligatory interpretational dependency between an overt controller and a nonovert controllee in which the controllee is structurally superior to the controller: Meg persuaded $\Delta _i $ [ $Ron_i $ to give up]. It contrasts with ordinary forward control, in which the controll...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Language (Baltimore) 2009-12, Vol.85 (4), p.754-784
Main Author: Potsdam, Eric
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adjunct clauses
Argument clauses
Austronesian languages
Dependency
Descriptive studies and applied theories
Form Classes (Languages)
Grammar
Grammatical clauses
Linguistic complements
Linguistic Theory
Linguistics
Malagasy language
Malayo Polynesian Languages
Pronouns
Structural Analysis (Linguistics)
Syntactical antecedents
Syntactics
Syntax
Theory
Verbs
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Description
Summary:Backward control is an obligatory interpretational dependency between an overt controller and a nonovert controllee in which the controllee is structurally superior to the controller: Meg persuaded $\Delta _i $ [ $Ron_i $ to give up]. It contrasts with ordinary forward control, in which the controller is structurally higher: Meg persuaded $Ron_i $ [ $\Delta _i $ to give up]. Although backward control has been previously documented (Polinsky & Potsdam 2002a), clear cases are rare. This article presents an alternation between forward and backward object control in the Austronesian language Malagasy and argues for the backward-control structure. Backward control is thus a reality and needs to be incorporated into any comprehensive theory of control. The article argues against an analysis of backward control that identifies the controllee as the null pronominal pro.
ISSN:0097-8507
1535-0665
1535-0665
DOI:10.1353/lan.0.0160