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The Indicative and Subjunctive da-complements in Serbian: A Syntactic-Semantic Approach

by Nataša Todorović (Author)
©2015 Thesis 142 Pages

Summary

This study analyzes the indicative and subjunctive da-complements in the Serbian language while comparing and contrasting them with similar finite constructions in other Slavic and Balkan languages. In complex structures, semantic properties of the matrix verb, homophonous da, and aspectual and tense properties of the embedded verb all contribute to interpretations of the morphologically unmarked subjunctive and indicative moods in the Serbian language. Merging Giannakidou’s theory of mood and veridicality with Progovac’s clausal structure, the author suggests that the choice of the indicative or subjunctive complement determines negation interpretation and implies that clitics in Serbian are not always restricted to the second position.

Table Of Contents

  • Cover
  • Title
  • Copyright
  • About the author(s)/editor(s)
  • About the book
  • This eBook can be cited
  • Table of Contents
  • List of Abbreviations
  • 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 The Research Issue and Project Overview
  • 1.2 Synchrony and Diachrony of Verbal Complementation in Serbian
  • 1.3 The Place of Finite Complementation in the Balkan Sprachbund
  • 1.4 Complementation in Balkan Languages
  • 1.5 Complementation in Slavic Languages
  • 1.6 The Analysis Preview
  • 2. Overview of the Literature
  • 2.1 Different Approaches to the Analysis of da-complementation
  • 2.2 Theoretical Approaches: Complementizers, Particles, Complementation, Mood, and Tense
  • 2.2.1 Philippaki-Warburton (1994)
  • 2.2.2 Giannakidou (2009)
  • 2.2.3 Roussou (2000, 2009)
  • 2.3 Progovac (2005): Clausal Architecture of Serbian
  • 3. Verbal and Clausal System
  • 3.1 Verbal System
  • 3.1.1 Aspect
  • 3.1.2 Mood
  • 3.1.2.1 Imperative
  • 3.1.2.2 Conditional/Potential
  • 3.1.2.3 Optative
  • 3.1.2.4 Conclusion
  • 3.1.3 Tense
  • 3.1.3.1 The Aorist and Imperfect
  • 3.1.3.2 The Perfect and Pluperfect Tenses
  • 3.1.3.3 The Present Tense
  • 3.1.3.4 Future I
  • 3.1.3.5 Future II
  • 3.1.3.6 Conclusion
  • 3.2 Clausal System: A Descriptive Approach
  • 3.2.1 Independent (Root) Contexts with da-constructions
  • 3.2.2 Dependent (Embedded) Contexts with da-constructions
  • 4. Semantic Restrictions In The Indicative and Subjunctive Da-Complements: An Empirical Overview
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Aspect
  • 4.2.1 Aspect in the Indicative da-complements
  • 4.2.2 Aspect in the Subjunctive da-complements
  • 4.2.3 Conclusion
  • 4.3 Tense
  • 4.3.1 Tense in the Indicative da-complements
  • 4.3.2 Tense in the Subjunctive da-complements
  • 4.3.3 Conclusion
  • 4.4 Clitics
  • 4.4.1 Clitic Position in the Indicative da-complements
  • 4.4.2 Clitic Position in the Subjunctive da-complements
  • 4.5 Negation
  • 4.5.1 Negation in the Indicative da-complements
  • 4.5.2 Negation in the Subjunctive da-complements
  • 4.5.3 Conclusion
  • 4.6 Negative Polarity Items
  • 4.6.1 Licensing of NI-NPIs in the Indicative da-complements
  • 4.6.2 Licensing of NI-NPIs in the Subjunctive da-complements
  • 4.6.3 Licensing of I-NPIs in the Indicative da-complements
  • 4.6.4 Licensing of I-NPIs in the Subjunctive da-complements
  • 4.7 Conclusion
  • 5. Analysis Of Da-Complements: A Syntactic Approach
  • 5.1 Aspect and da
  • 5.2 Tense and da
  • 5.3 Clitics and da
  • 5.4 Negation and da
  • 5.5 Negative Polarity Items and da
  • 5.6 Conclusion: Serbian Clausal Structure
  • 6. Conclusion
  • 6.1 Implications
  • 6.2 Future Research
  • References

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List of Abbreviations

| 17 →

1. Introduction

1.1 The Research Issue and Project Overview1

In this project I focus on the investigation of verbal complementation in Serbian. I particularly focus on and analyze da-complements which give rise to indicative interpretations as in (1) and subjunctive interpretations as in (2).

(1) Tvrdim     da pišem         pismo.
claim-1sg. da write INP-1sg. letter
I claim that I am writing the letter.

(2) Želim     da pišem           pismo.
want-1sg. da write INP-1sg. letter
I want to write a letter.

The constructions in (1) and (2) yield two different interpretations, yet they seem to employ the same da-complement. These two distinct interpretations (indicative and subjunctive) bring attention to two important questions: 1) What (syntactic, semantic, morphological) elements allow for the two different interpretations? and 2) What, if any, function da has in the formation (or interpretations) of the indicative and subjunctive moods?

Potential/Conditional

(3) Imala                   bi       više enrgije da pojedeš       čokolade.
have-fem. imperf. l-part. aux-2sg. more energy da eat-PNP-2sg. chocolate
You would have more energy if you ate chocolate.

Future Tense

(4) Ja ću       da kuvam             ručak.
I aux-1sg. da cook INP-1sg. lunch
I will cook lunch.

Imperative

(5) Da se       nisi             pomakla!
da se-reflx. not-aux2sg. moved-fem. perf. l-part.
Don’t you dare move! ← 17 | 18 →

Interrogatives

Details

Pages
142
Year
2015
ISBN (PDF)
9783653048520
ISBN (ePUB)
9783653981681
ISBN (MOBI)
9783653981674
ISBN (Hardcover)
9783631652343
DOI
10.3726/978-3-653-04852-0
Language
English
Publication date
2015 (June)
Keywords
Balkan Sprachbund Syntax Semantics
Published
Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Wien, 2015. 142 pp., 13 tables, 12 graphs

Biographical notes

Nataša Todorović (Author)

Nataša Todorović is a linguist with a particular interest in Slavic and Balkan linguistics. Her areas of research interests are syntax, semantics, syntax-semantic interface and morphosyntax. She currently teaches at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago.

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Title: The Indicative and Subjunctive da-complements in Serbian: A Syntactic-Semantic Approach
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144 pages