Abstract
Different languages have different means for structuring clauses which allow the coding of a thematically peripheral argument or adjunct as a core-object argument. The resulting constructions are known as double object or applicative constructions. The primary aim of this paper is to present a syntactic analysis of applicative constructions in Sudanese Arabic within the theoretical framework of the Minimalist Program (Chomsky, 1993, 1995) , in particular, the notion of phases, in combination with Pylkkanen's proposed phrase structure and the semantics of I-applicative (2000, 2008) . The overall endeavor is to provide answers to the central questions: how applicatives in Sudanese Arabic are derived? Whether applicatives in Sudanese Arabic are I-applicatives or E-applicatives? The derivation of such constructions in Sudanese Arabic involves the coding of new argument in the argument structure of the verb. This new argument is introduced via a preposition and has a benefactive/goal interpretation. This argument is c-commanded by any internal argument. The applied argument is placed in the complement position of the head ApplI, and can undergo neither A-movement nor wh-movement. This makes Sudanese Arabic fit into the general syntactic typology of I-type applicative languages cross-linguistically and consequently promoting contrastive linguistics. Keywords: Applied argument; applicative construction; minimalist program; spoken Sudanese Arabic; syntax
Highlights
Verbs are categorized in terms of the number of arguments and the thematic roles in which they are assigned as unaccusatives, unergatives, accusatives and ditransitives (Adger 2003, Chomsky 1993, 1995, 2005, 2008, Radford 2004, 2009)
Sudanese Arabic derives applicative construction where a new argument is accorded into the thematic structure of the verb
We assume that Sudanese Arabic is low applicative-language-type where low applied arguments bear no semantic relation to the verb; they only bear a transfer of possession in relation to the direct object as in the following example: (2) Zainab eshtara-t qameess li-Ahmed
Summary
Verbs are categorized in terms of the number of arguments and the thematic roles in which they are assigned as unaccusatives, unergatives, accusatives and ditransitives (Adger 2003, Chomsky 1993, 1995, 2005, 2008, Radford 2004, 2009). Ditransitive verbs in languages such as English can alternatively appear in two different syntactic configurations: either as dative shift (Mary gave the book to John) or as a double object (Mary gave John the book). Some other languages offer the possibility of adding an indirect object to the argument structure of a verb. This additional argument is called applied argument and the construction involving it as applicative construction (Culicover 2009). In terms of Mehri (a pre-Islamic minority language spoken in Yemen) the ditransitive can alternatively appear in a third syntactic configuration: it is
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