Verb Movement in Bosnian: Overt or Covert?

Verb Movement in Bosnian: Overt or Covert?

CELJO, Amna Brdarević

Key words: head movement, overt and covert movement, split IP hypothesis, sentential and manner adverbs, strong and weak T head; ABSTRACT In this paper we take a closer look at two verb movement operations that have been recognized in the literature, i.e. V-T movement (previously termed V-I movement) and T-C movement (previously termed I-C movement), and their covert (post-Spell-out, LF) or overt (pre-Spell-out) application in the Bosnian language. We apply Pollock's tests (1989) to determine whether there is V-T movement in this language, focusing primarily on the position of main verbs with respect to adverbs (manner and sentential) and negative particle ne in declarative sentences. In addition, we use Izvorski's tests (1993) to show that T-C movement might not be an option in Bosnian, basing our discussion on the position of main verbs with respect to subjects and adverbs in wh-questions. However, we briefly discuss the problem which this claim may raise for yes-no questions in this language.

Article
PeerReviewed

IBU Publishing

2013-05-03

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