Implicit argument constructions in Venda

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study explores the implicit argument in Venda. It concentrates on theomissibility of overt arguments in a range of constructions in Venda.Section one, the introduction of this study project, examines the general frameworkassumed in the theory of Government and Binding (GB theory) as outlined inChomsky ( 1982). It is indicated that the GB theory comprises of major subtheories,such as Government Theory, Case Theory, Theta theory, Binding theory,Control theory and the X-bar theory. A brief explanation of the Theta theory andthe Control theory is made, for they are employed in the discussion of implicitargument constructions in Venda.Section two deals with the previous views on implicit arguments. The studies onthis issue by Williams (1987) Safir (1987) Jaeggli (1987) Roeper (1987) and Clark(1990) are discussed in detail. Exploration of the control of PRO of the infinitivalclause by the implicit argument, is made, i.e. control of the PRO by an unrealizedargument in an NP complement.Section three deals with implicit arguments in passive and neuter-passive verbconstructions, i.e. it explores the occurrence of the implicit argument in passive andneuter-passive constructions in Venda is made. It becomes apparent here that theimplicit argument whose presence may always be assumed in passive constructionslacking an overt agent, does occur in passive and neuter-passive constructions in Venda. Generally, it becomes evident in this section that for most of the passiveverbs in the matrix clauses to allow purposive infinitival complement clauses, thesuffix -el- should be affixed to them.Section four deals with nominal infinitive constructions, i.e. it explores theoccurrence of the implicit argument in nominal infinitive constructions in Venda. Ithas been indicated in this section that an implicit argument can occur in nominalinfinitive constructions with a purposive infinitival complement in Venda, and thatthe applicative -el- has a role to play in the construction of sentences, in that itlicences purposive infinitives when it is affixed to nominal infinitive verbs. Section five deals with deverbal event nominals and the occurrence of deverbalevent nominals with a purposive infinitival complement clause. Control of the PROsubject of the infinitival complement clause is explored. It becomes apparent inthis section that deverbal event nominals with a monotransitive or ditransitive verbbase can allow purposive infinitival complement clauses as well as non-complementclauses and that these infinitives must be nominal infinitives preceded by thegenitive -a-.Section six deals with the expletive verb constructions in Venda. It has beendemonstrated in this section that the implicit argument is projected onto thesyntactic position of the preposition kha and that Venda expletive verbalconstruction can allow an infinitive clause.Section seven is the conclusion where a presentation of the main findings of thisstudy project is made.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University