Null subjects in Brazilian Portuguese display a puzzling distribution that has not been
fully accounted in current literature. In short, null subjects are seen in different patterns
in matrix and embedded clauses. Furthermore, declaratives and questions also show a
different distribution of null subjects, and WH movement seems to play a part in blocking
null subject licensing in questions. This work aims to propose a solution to this puzzle
by presenting a model centered around φ-feature and discursive (δ) feature interaction at
the Left Periphery. The main historical assumption being that BP displays properties of
a discursive-oriented language, an hypothesis based on the extended contact the language
had with Bantu throughout its history. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/24785 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Creators | Prado, Frederico |
| Contributors | Kučerová, Ivona, Cognitive Science of Language |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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