Variation and pseudo-optionality of pronominal verbs in Spanish vs. Dutch

Abstract

This work is a study of the argument structure of pronominal verbs in Spanish and Dutch. It provides an explanation of the cross-linguistic variation and the pseudo-optionality of the pronominal particle, based on phenomena at the lexicon-syntax and syntax-phonology interfaces. Two reduction operations on the predicate are proposed for pronominal verbs. In addition, an expansion operation on the predicate is proposed for alternating pronominal verbs, which allow pseudo-optionality as to the presence of the pronominal particle. The cross-linguistic variation is explained by resorting to parametrization of the application of the aforementioned operations at the lexicon-syntax interface, on the one hand, and to phonological materialization rules that operate on the pronominal particle at the syntax-phonology interface, on the other hand