The Distinction
The following trees illustrate the distinction:
The presence of the VP constituent in the configurational tree on the left allows one to define the syntactic relations (subject vs. object) in terms of the configuration. The subject is the argument that appears outside of the VP, whereas the object appears inside it. The flatter structure on the right, where there is no VP, forces/allows one to view aspects of syntax differently. More generally, Hale proposed that non-configurational languages have the following characteristics:
- free (or more accurately, pragmatically determined) word order
- extensive use of null anaphora
- syntactically discontinuous expressions
However, it is not clear that these properties all cluster together. Languages that have been described as non-configurational include Mohawk, Warlpiri, Nahuatl and O'odham (Papago).
Read more about this topic: Non-configurational Language
Famous quotes containing the word distinction:
“This is no rune nor symbol,
what I mean is it is so simple
yet no trick of the pen or brush
could capture that impression;
what I wanted to indicate was
a new phase, a new distinction of colour.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
“I want you to consider this distinction as you go forward in life. Being male is not enough; being a man is a right to be earned and an honor to be cherished. I cannot tell you how to earn that right or deserve that honor. . . but I can tell you that the formation of your manhood must be a conscious act governed by the highest vision of the man you want to be.”
—Kent Nerburn (20th century)