A Squib on Syntactic Pivots in Tagalog
1st Semester AY 2012-2013: Linguistics 190
Linguistics 190
Inter-clausal and Intra-clausal Syntax:
Clausal linking patterns in Tagalog
1
1st Semester AY 2012-2013: Linguistics 190
Squib
Clausal linking patterns in Tagalog
Eishrine Mei M. Amante
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN
This paper explores the linking pattern of the core arguments across the clauses in Tagalog. It has been observed that even if Tagalog, a morphologically ergative language, also exhibits an accusative discourse behavior. This is also the case in Cebuano. Just like in other ergative languages, the Ss and As are still more topical than the Os. This means that there can be more S and A links than O links.
Languages have varying strategies for representing syntax of clause combining. One of these ways is through syntactic pivots. Many languages tend to put restrictions on the syntactic combining of clauses. This is made possible by the three syntactic functions: S, A, or O. OBL, on the other hand serves as the peripheral argument. According to Dixon (1994), there are two types of syntactic pivot: (1) S->A pivot and; (2) S->O pivot. In (1), the coreferential NP must be derived from S or A in each of the clauses being combined. In (2), the coreferential NP must be derived from S or O in each of the clauses being combined. To contrast S->A pivot and S->O pivot, Dixon gave two languages showing the links respectively. (a) [MotherA saw fatherO] and [ 0S returned] (b) [ngumaO yabu-nguA buran] [0S banagany u] Father+ABS mother-ERG saw returned Mother saw father and he returned
2
1st Semester AY 2012-2013: Linguistics 190
In (a) and (b), we have what we call a zero anaphora which represents the omitted subject of the intransitive verb. An example of an S->A link can be seen in a language operating in an S->A pivot like English. The link is being demonstrated in (a). Users of English will only delete the S NP in the 2nd clause if and only if it is coreferential with
Linguistics 190
Inter-clausal and Intra-clausal Syntax:
Clausal linking patterns in Tagalog
1
1st Semester AY 2012-2013: Linguistics 190
Squib
Clausal linking patterns in Tagalog
Eishrine Mei M. Amante
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-DILIMAN
This paper explores the linking pattern of the core arguments across the clauses in Tagalog. It has been observed that even if Tagalog, a morphologically ergative language, also exhibits an accusative discourse behavior. This is also the case in Cebuano. Just like in other ergative languages, the Ss and As are still more topical than the Os. This means that there can be more S and A links than O links.
Languages have varying strategies for representing syntax of clause combining. One of these ways is through syntactic pivots. Many languages tend to put restrictions on the syntactic combining of clauses. This is made possible by the three syntactic functions: S, A, or O. OBL, on the other hand serves as the peripheral argument. According to Dixon (1994), there are two types of syntactic pivot: (1) S->A pivot and; (2) S->O pivot. In (1), the coreferential NP must be derived from S or A in each of the clauses being combined. In (2), the coreferential NP must be derived from S or O in each of the clauses being combined. To contrast S->A pivot and S->O pivot, Dixon gave two languages showing the links respectively. (a) [MotherA saw fatherO] and [ 0S returned] (b) [ngumaO yabu-nguA buran] [0S banagany u] Father+ABS mother-ERG saw returned Mother saw father and he returned
2
1st Semester AY 2012-2013: Linguistics 190
In (a) and (b), we have what we call a zero anaphora which represents the omitted subject of the intransitive verb. An example of an S->A link can be seen in a language operating in an S->A pivot like English. The link is being demonstrated in (a). Users of English will only delete the S NP in the 2nd clause if and only if it is coreferential with