The argument structure of predicate adjectives in Russian

Abstract

This paper explores the difference between the short form (SF) and the long form (LF) of predicate adjectives in Russian. It shows that the morphosyntactic and semantic differences between the two forms can be accounted for by assuming a categorial distinction between them known from the cross-linguistic typology of adjectives: the SF is a verbal category, whereas the LF forms a separate class of adjectives. This categorial difference can be explained by the difference in the argument structure. The SF has an argument structure similar to that of stative verbs: it introduces a referential argument for states and instantiates primary predication. The LF however introduces no referential argument and instantiates secondary predication. All morphosyntactic and semantic differences between the SF and the LF can be traced back to the difference in argument structure. A formal analysis of the whole byt’ ‘be’ sentence reveals that the SF combines with the auxiliary byt’, which only specifies tense and aspect, while the LF combines with the copula byt’, which in addition to tense and aspect specification establishes the reference to states.