Complex verbs between syntax and morphology in Bulgarian

Abstract

This paper develops a theory of Bulgarian sentence and verb complex structure based on lexicalist minimalist assumptions, Bierwisch’s theory of Verb Cluster Formation (VCF), and the Two-level Theory of Meaning which distinguishes grammatically determined meaning from extralinguistically determined meaning. It is argued that both ще and да are modal particles marking specific types of verbal mood. They are connected with the verb in a zone between morphology (lexicon) and syntax, namely through the process of VCF. This also holds for the clitic auxiliaries within perfect tense formation. Furthermore, the Complementizer Phrase (CP) is assumed to be the place where existential quantification of the predicate’s event variable is marked in syntax (going hand in hand with existential presupposition). Да-expressions are analyzed as Modal Phrases (ModPs) lacking a CP layer, from which it can be concluded that there is no existential presupposition. It is assumed that the latter takes place only on the level of Conceptual Structure due to extragrammatical factors such as the speaker’s world knowledge. This approach can explain the interpretational differences between че-sentences and да-expressions. Also, a lexicalist way of accounting for the different selectional properties of matrix predicates is presented.