Subordination Flashcards
What is subordination?
How a subordinate clause can be embedded in to the main clause
-the subordinate clause is an argument of the matrix verb
What is a matrix verb? Give examples
The VERB that comes before a (subordinate clause)
- Kyle WONDERED (whether the lecture made sense)
- The students WANT (to leave early)
What is a complementiser? Give examples
A small functional element coming at the start of a subordinate clause, selected by the matrix verb
-that/if/whether
Give some properties of subordinate clauses
Often have a complementiser
Can be non-finite
Some lack an overt subject, instead an understood subject, referring back to the one in the main clause
Explain finiteness in subordinate clauses
They can be non-finite Kyle wants (TO EAT pizza)
What is a complement clause?
Subordinate clauses that are selected by a matrix verb
What is recursion?
How subordination is not in principle restricted to one embedded clause
-they dont know that we know that they know…
What is the root clause?
the highest/main clause
How do root and subordinate clauses vary?
English: Root clauses are always finite whilst subordinates do not have to be
Breton: Word order can differ
How does subordination vary across languages?
English: subordinate follows matrix verb,
Wappo: subordinate precedes verb
English: verb likes “want” and “try” select for a non finite complement,
Modern Greek: finites
What are some alternatives to subordination?
Coordination, Nominalisation, Serial Verbs
Name a languages that uses coordination
Kambera
What is coordination?
When two root clauses are linked with a conjunction, neither being dependent on the other
Name a language that uses nominalisation
Comanche
What is nominalisation?
Taking a verb and making it a noun complement
-(Lee’s losing his license) surprised Kim
Name a language that uses serial verbs
Nupe
What are serial verbs?
Multiple finite verbs in a series that are generally closely related so nothing can intervene (jinlai)
Often, two verbs form a single complex event
How does valency affect serial verbs? Give an example
When the 1st verb is transitive, an obj NP can come between
Yoruba: he took book came = he brought the book
Give some properties of serial verbs
They always have the same subject
All verbs are negated by a single marker
Tense and aspect must be consistent across all the verbs, marked on either each verb or on one
