Subject/Object Asymmetries in Northern Iroquoian

초록

This squib examines two seldom discussed subject/object asymmetries in Northern Iroquoian. Namely, (i) agreement is found with incorporated subjects but not with incorporated objects, and (ii) wh-movement is possible with incorporated human subjects but not with incorporated human objects. A primary goal of this squib is to add these two asymmetries to the discussion on noun incorporation and Northern Iroquoian grammar in general. Current theories of noun incorporation provide no solution. There is also no proposal in the generative tradition that accounts for the complex agreement patterns found in Northern Iroquoian. Although I provide no solution here, I point to a potential solution involving separate subject and object probes. I implore future researchers to take these asymmetries into account when analyzing Northern Iroquoian grammar and noun incorporation in general.

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