9223725 Maling This project explores the hypothesis that the syntactic cases form a Case Tier which is mapped onto a hierarchy or grammatical functions, consisting roughly of SUBJECT > OBJECT > ADVERB. This approach contrasts clearly with much current work on Case Theory, which assumes that Nominative and Accusative are "structural" cases (or Cases) assigned to particular configurational positions. The widespread occurrence of VP-internal nominatives and/or "nominative objects" constitutes a serious problem for structural theories of case assignment, but is entirely expected under the Case Tier model. The project will explore the limits of cross-linguistic variation within the Case Tier model, focusing on the assignment of nominative or absolutive case to verbal complements and various kinds of adverbial adjuncts, and the casemarking of ditransitive verbs. Basic questions to be addressed include: - What are the formal principles controlling the mapping, and parameters that allow for variation? - Is there a basic distinction between arguments and adjuncts? What kinds of adverbials may participate in the hierarchy? - How does syntactic case interact with oblique case assigned structurally to particular configuration positions? - How do predicate nominals get case-marked? - How do expletives get case-marked? - What are the implications of this approach for GB Case Theory, particularly the Case Filter and Burzio's Generalization? When are passive verbs accusative case assigners? Data will be drawn from a wide variety of case systems, including Finnish, Greek, Icelandic, Korean, Quechua and various Australian, Philippine, Slavic and South Asian languages. ***
