Predicate raising and perception verb complements in Malagasy

Abstract

Malagasy clauses have a bipartite structure, consisting of a predicate plus a topic-like constituent, the trigger, which specifies the argument of predication. Normally the predicate precedes the trigger. The question arises as to whether the trigger originates to the right of the predicate, or whether predicate-trigger order is derived through predicate fronting. I argue in favor of predicate fronting based on evidence from clausal complements in sentences denoting direct perception of an event. These complements closely resemble matrix clauses, but exhibit an order where the trigger precedes the predicate. I show that these complements are single constituents which pattern as tensed clauses with regard to binding and other tests. I also present evidence that the trigger in perception verb complements occupies the same position as triggers of predicate-initial clauses. It follows that the word order difference between perception verb complements and predicate-initial clauses reflects a difference in the surface position of the predicate. I propose that predicate-initial clauses include a finiteness (Fin) head in their left periphery which attracts the predicate (=TP) to check tense and EPP features, causing the predicate to raise over the trigger. In perception verb complements, which denote events rather than propositions, the Fin head is absent, and so predicate fronting fails to occur.