SUBJECT/OBJECT ASYMMETRIES AND CHAIN FORMATION IN SELAYARESE

抄録

In this paper, we point out two subject/object asymmetries in Selayarese, and propose that in a simple sentence, while the object wh-phrase is base-generated in the object position in the underlying structure, the subject wh-phrase is base-generated in CP SPEC. We then show that this claim provides a uniform account for the two subject/object asymmetries in Selayarese. We also discuss two implications of the proposal: (i) that human language shows the Highest Argument Restriction, and (ii) that some affixes in Selayarese, which do not apparently occupy A-positions, behave like real NPs in A-positions.