On the nature of Welsh VSO clauses

Abstract

Welsh is a VSO language, in which the verb precedes the subject in finite clauses. It is widely assumed that such clauses have a basic SVO structure. This idea is not limited to Principles and Parameters/Minimalist work, but is also found in Lexical-Functional Grammar and it could also be incorporated into Head-driven Phrase Structure Grammar. Other things being equal, an analysis which involves an SVO structure is more complex than one that does not. Thus, the burden of proof is on advocates of an SVO structure. Arguments for such an analysis have been advanced or might be advanced on the basis VP-like constituents, anaphora, coordination and ellipsis. A close inspection of the arguments suggests that none is very compelling. Moreover, some SVO analyses face problems with agreement, negation or mutation. It seems, then, that an analysis which does not involve an SVO structure is preferable.