The Indicative and Subjunctive da-complements in Serbian: A Syntactic-Semantic Approach

This study analyzes the indicative and subjunctive da-complements in the Serbian language while comparing and contrasting them with similar finite constructions in other Slavic and Balkan languages. In complex structures, semantic properties of the matrix verb, homophonous da, and aspectual and tense properties of the embedded verb all contribute to interpretations of the morphologically unmarked subjunctive and indicative moods in the Serbian language. Merging Giannakidou's theory of mood and veridicality with Progovac's clausal structure, the author suggests that the choice of the indicative or subjunctive complement determines negation interpretation and implies that clitics in Serbian are not always restricted to the second position.

List of contents

Contents: Aspect - Mood - Tense - Clitics - Finite Complementation - Infinitive - Licensing of Negative Polarity Items - Negation - Balkan Sprachbund - Clausal Structure - Negative Polarity Items - Second-position Cliticization - Imperfective Aspect - Perfective Aspect - Indicative Mood - Subjunctive Mood.

About the author

Nataša Todorovi¿ is a linguist with a particular interest in Slavic and Balkan linguistics. Her areas of research interests are syntax, semantics, syntax-semantic interface and morphosyntax. She currently teaches at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago.

Product details

• Authors: Nata¿a Todorovi¿, Nata¿a Todorovic, Natasa Todorovic
• Assisted by: Lilia Schürcks (Editor)
• Publisher: Peter Lang
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.2015
• EAN: 9783631652343
• ISBN: 978-3-631-65234-3
• No. of pages: 142
• Dimensions: 148 mm x 13 mm x 210 mm
• Weight: 300 g
• Series: Potsdam Linguistic Investigations / Potsdamer Linguistische Untersuchungen / Recherches Linguistiques à Potsdam; Potsdam Linguistic Investigations / Potsdamer Linguistische Untersuchungen / Recherches Linguistique; Potsdam Linguistic Investigations / Potsdamer Linguistische Untersuchungen / Recherches Linguistiques à Potsdam; Potsdam Linguistic Investigations; Potsdam Linguistic Investigations / Potsdamer Linguistische Untersuchungen / Recherches Linguistique
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics