Difference between revisions of "Pro"

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(New page: {{stub}} In Chomskyan syntax, '''pro''' (also called '''little pro''', to distinguish it from PRO in speech) is a null pronoun-like noun phrase that differs from PRO in that it occurs ...)
 
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'''Pro''' is a pronoun without phonetic properties. An [[empty category]], specified as [+pronominal,-anaphoric] by the [[binding theory]]. ''Pro'' can be a subject in [[pro-drop]] languages, such as [[Italian]].
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In Chomskyan syntax, '''pro''' (also called '''little pro''', to distinguish it from [[PRO]] in speech) is a null pronoun-like noun phrase that differs from PRO in that it occurs in a position where it can get [[Case (Chomskyan syntax)|Case]]. Little pro is often said to be licensed by [[rich agreement]].
 
In Chomskyan syntax, '''pro''' (also called '''little pro''', to distinguish it from [[PRO]] in speech) is a null pronoun-like noun phrase that differs from PRO in that it occurs in a position where it can get [[Case (Chomskyan syntax)|Case]]. Little pro is often said to be licensed by [[rich agreement]].
  
===Example===
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===Examples===
 
Spanish ''viene'' '(he) comes' is analyzed as ''pro viene''.
 
Spanish ''viene'' '(he) comes' is analyzed as ''pro viene''.
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''pro'' in (i)b (which only exists in underlying structure) is interpreted as the [[subject]].
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(i) a  Piero conosce bene Maria
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        Piero knows Maria well
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    b  ''pro'' Conosce bene Maria
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        He knows Maria well
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''Pro'' must be licensed. A ''pro'' subject is licensed by (morphological) [[agreement]] features. It is claimed that ''pro'' may occur in object positions in Italian.
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===Origin===
 
===Origin===
 
''pro'' was introduced by Chomsky 1981, as an abbreviation of [[pronoun]].
 
''pro'' was introduced by Chomsky 1981, as an abbreviation of [[pronoun]].
  
===References===
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*[[Noam A. Chomsky|Chomsky, Noam A]]. 1981. ''Lectures in Government and Binding.'' Dordrecht: Foris.
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=== Links ===
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[http://www2.let.uu.nl/UiL-OTS/Lexicon/zoek.pl?lemma=Pro&lemmacode=436 Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics]
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=== References ===
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* [[Noam A. Chomsky|Chomsky, Noam A]]. 1981. ''Lectures in Government and Binding.'' Dordrecht: Foris.
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* Chomsky, N. 1982. ''Some concepts and consequences of the theory of government and binding,'' MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.
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* Rizzi, L. 1986. ''Null Objects in Italian and the Theory of pro,'' [[Linguistic Inquiry]] 17, pp. 501-557
  
 
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{{dc}}
[[Category:syntax]]
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[[Category:Syntax]]
 
[[Category:Generative grammar]]
 
[[Category:Generative grammar]]

Latest revision as of 12:49, 20 February 2009

STUB


Pro is a pronoun without phonetic properties. An empty category, specified as [+pronominal,-anaphoric] by the binding theory. Pro can be a subject in pro-drop languages, such as Italian.

In Chomskyan syntax, pro (also called little pro, to distinguish it from PRO in speech) is a null pronoun-like noun phrase that differs from PRO in that it occurs in a position where it can get Case. Little pro is often said to be licensed by rich agreement.


Examples

Spanish viene '(he) comes' is analyzed as pro viene.


pro in (i)b (which only exists in underlying structure) is interpreted as the subject.

(i) a  Piero conosce bene Maria
       Piero knows Maria well
    b  pro Conosce bene Maria
       He knows Maria well

Pro must be licensed. A pro subject is licensed by (morphological) agreement features. It is claimed that pro may occur in object positions in Italian.


Origin

pro was introduced by Chomsky 1981, as an abbreviation of pronoun.


Links

Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics

References

  • Chomsky, Noam A. 1981. Lectures in Government and Binding. Dordrecht: Foris.
  • Chomsky, N. 1982. Some concepts and consequences of the theory of government and binding, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.
  • Rizzi, L. 1986. Null Objects in Italian and the Theory of pro, Linguistic Inquiry 17, pp. 501-557