Axel Holvoet
University
of Warsaw
Control alternations. On control
properties in infinitival goal adjuncts in Baltic
This
article deals with control phenomena in a particular type of infinitival
adjuncts in Baltic, viz. in goal adjuncts with transitive verbs of motion. It
has already been noted in the literature that, though infinitival adjuncts are
often assumed to have implicit subjects controlled by the matrix clause
subject, certain subtypes select a matrix clause object as a controller. This is
also often the case with goal adjuncts: individual languages may choose either
the matrix clause subject or the matrix clause object as a controller. As shown
in this article, Lithuanian and Latvian have grammaticalized both types of
control, i.e. for most verbs occurring in infinitival goal adjuncts alternative
constructions with the two patterns of control (subject and object control) are
available. The alternative control patterns correlate with transitivity vs.
intransitivity marking on the infinitive in the goal adjunct. The article
reflects on the syntactic interpretation of the observed facts, examines the
distribution of the two control patterns over lexical classes of verbs occurring
in the goal adjuncts, and looks at the implications of the facts for the theory
of control.
Keywords:
Latvian, Lithuanian, infinitival adjuncts, goal clauses, purpose clauses,
control, motion verbs