On Discourse Features Inheritance in the vP Information Structure: Evidence from Depictive Secondary Predication in Standard Arabic

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, I present an argument based on empirical data from depictive secondary predication in Standard Arabic (SA) for the assumption that the light v is merged with discourse features that V inherits at some point of derivation (Miyagawa 2010; Jimenez Fernandez & Spyropoulos 2013). The depictive structure in SA exhibits different word order permutations that correspond to the discourse properties of the structure. As such, SA manifests itself as a discourse‐agreement language with discourse and phi‐agreement features on the phase head (e.g., C or v) being transferred into relevant heads of phase complements (e.g., T or V). Such an environment triggers the different rearrangements of the depictive phrase within the vP under Last Resort. To enable movement out of the non‐subcategorized structure of the adjunct small clause, I employ a sideward movement strategy (Nunes 1995, 2001, 2004) to derive the pattern in question.1