Hebrew as a partial null-subject language

ITIUIL ~ SJournal Name

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Manuscript No.

6

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Dispatch: 5.1.09 Author Received:

Journal: STUL CE: Blackwell No. ofpages: 25 PE: Indumathi

HEBREW AS A PARTIAL NULL-SUBJECT LANGUAGE* Ur Shlonsky Abstract. To account for the tense-wise and person-wise uneven distribution of null subjects in Hebrew, we argue first that Hebrew finite T can have either a full phi set - with person and number, a partial one - with number only or no phi set at all. Second, Hebrew pro is argued to lack a person feature. Feature matching with T consequently fails when T has [person], but succeeds when T lacks [person], albeit with the subject interpreted impersonally. Third, 'contr' f pro involves the assignment of a person feature to pro, rendering it e of reference. Fourth, the fact that Hebrew pro can only be first or sec n is an illusion: The speech act participants are associated with a f ead SAPo, to which the first and second person pronouns c1iticize. Th independently-referring pro at all in Hebrew

1. Introduction

31

Hebrew is a partial null subject language, mani(!,sM ree intertwined asymmetries in the distribution of covert subje nouns. The referentiality asymmetry: Non-referential argumental null subject possible in every tensed environment but one. The person asymmetry: Referential null subjects are peJl1ll'[t~gi9 first and second person inflection; third person covert hip"t