La prédication en grammaire générative

Abstract

In this paper, we try to synthesize the various approaches to predication under the Principles & Parameters framework. It is first shown that, from a typological point of view, predication is closely linked to the verb, and more precisely to the functional projection I ( = Inflection) that dominates the VP. This particular layer is also closely linked to subjecthood. Starting from the examples taken in the text, we then go on to discuss the relevant cases, including there existential-presentative constructions and inaccusative predicates like seem, which will be shown to cover be copular structures.

Keywords

• predication
• functional projection
• inflection
• inaccusativity.