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In:Brazilian Portuguese, Syntax and Semantics: 20 years of Núcleo de Estudos Gramaticais
Edited by Roberta Pires De Oliveira, Ina Emmel and Sandra Quarezemin
[Linguistik Aktuell/Linguistics Today 260] 2020
► pp. 151–166

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Chapter 6
Some low ellipses in Portuguese

A phase-based analysis

 | University of Campinas | CNPq
Published online: 8 May 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.260.06lop
Abstract
The paper aims to offer an analysis for the anaphoric null objects found in Brazilian Portuguese as a case of ellipsis. This was first proposed by Cyrino (1994) solely based on the fact that such null elements exhibit strict and sloppy readings, a test not considered trustworthy as a diagnosis for ellipses (see Merchant 2013a; a.o.). We will thus test them based on Jackendoff’s (1971) tests for VP-ellipsis, showing, however, that null objects cannot be subsumed under VP-ellipsis. A phase-based analysis for both cases of ellipsis will be proposed.
Offering a phase-based analysis not only contributes to the understanding of what can be a phase but also accommodates the facts examined in BP as well as its differences with EP.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.V-VPE in Portuguese
  • 3.Properties of ANOs in BP
  • 4.ANOs: Why ellipsis and why not V-VPE?
  • 5.ASPP and elliptical phases
  • 6.Some predictions and problems
  • 7.Final remarks
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (53)
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