A Guide to Understanding SE Constructions: Where They Come from and How They Are Connected

Grant Armstrong, Jonathan E. MacDonald

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

In this chapter, we outline a framework for understanding the syntactic and semantic complexity of the SE clitic. We adopt the idea that the source of the multiple uses of SE is reflexive SE itself. Moreover, assuming that reflexive SE is syntactically tied to Voice/little v, we argue that we can profitably understand SE’s diverse uses as a result of two directions of change, one where SE takes on novel syntactic and semantic functions related to Voice/little v and above; the other where SE takes on novel syntactic and semantic functions in positions below Voice/little v. We also summarize the remaining chapters in the volume and situate them within these two broad divisions. Finally, we highlight directions for further research that naturally emerge from this study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationUnraveling the complexity of SE
EditorsGrant Armstrong, Jonathan E MacDonald
PublisherSpringer
Pages1-30
Number of pages30
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Publication series

NameStudies in Natural Language and Linguistic Theory
Volume99
ISSN (Print)0924-4670
ISSN (Electronic)2215-0358

Keywords

  • Expletive SE
  • Morphosyntactic change
  • Non-paradigmatic SE
  • Paradigmatic SE
  • Pronominal SE
  • Romance SE constructions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Language and Linguistics

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