Lexical Items in Complex Predications: Selection as Underassociation

Authors

  • Gillian Ramchand CASTL, University of Tromsø

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7557/12.139

Keywords:

complex predicate, light verb, denominal verbs, conflation, selection, exhaustive lexicalization, underassociation, Bengali

Abstract

This paper examines the problem of selectional ‘matching’ effects in Bengali V-V complex predicates, and English denominal verbs within the context of a decompositional syntax/semantics for verbal meaning and a theory of lexical insertion under non-terminals. It argues that within the particular version of this kind of lexical insertion, as proposed by Ramchand 2008b , selection can be captured by the underassociation of category features constrained by Agree. In this way, I argue that we can achieve many of the effects of selection without any distinct lexical subcategorization frame, or sub-type of feature-checking, once we have a suitably articulated theory of lexical insertion.

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Published

2008-12-22

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 1 (2008): Special issue on Complex Predicates

Section

Articles

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