Degree Neuter Relative constructions

This paper presents a syntax and semantics for Degree Neuter Relatives (DNRs) in Spanish, an unusual construction involving a relative clause seemingly headed by a gradable predicate and the neuter determiner lo. I propose an analysis of DNRs that avoids compositionality problems derived from sortal...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Mendia, Jon Ander|||0000-0003-0153-164X
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:269958
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/269958
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.5565/rev/isogloss.216
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Relative clauses
Degree expressions
Spanish
Descripción
Sumario:This paper presents a syntax and semantics for Degree Neuter Relatives (DNRs) in Spanish, an unusual construction involving a relative clause seemingly headed by a gradable predicate and the neuter determiner lo. I propose an analysis of DNRs that avoids compositionality problems derived from sortal mismatches between degrees and entities. In addition, I suggest that despite the cross-linguistic rarity of DNRs, it is no coincidence that they are available in Spanish: the proposed analysis relies on aspects of the morphological inventory of Spanish that allows the language to construct degreedenoting Free Relatives headed by a definite article, and so DNRs should not be expected in languages lacking this ability.