8.6.2 Final remarks on auxiliary selection Cliticization may influence the auxiliary selection. More precisely (as shown in the previous
examples, sentences from (i) to (ix)), verbs which normally select, in the active form of
composed tenses, the auxiliary “AVERE”, modify their behaviour in presence of a reflexive or
impersonal clitic, so that their cliticized version select the auxiliary “ESSERE”. A different
case involves the “inherent/pseudo-reflexive” clitic. It really gives rise to a different entry of
the verb: such a “lexically cliticized” verb is always intransitive and selects always the
auxiliary “ESSERE”. But (once again) some modification can occur: for instance, as shown in
sentence (xii), when the inherent clitic get the enclitical position, the selected auxiliary is
“AVERE”.
Given the fact that in the current approach clitics are attached once the verbal complex is
completed, we are enforced to build up some redundant structures (and to leave in some
cases the auxiliary selection being underspecified), waiting for a possible clitic attachment.
For instance, we need to construct verbal complex as the following:
(a) “è ucciso” [DIATH active]
(b) “è regalato” [DIATH active]
(c) “è discusso” [DIATH active]
(d) “è partiti” [DIATH active, PNG masc-plur]
In the last case (d), a special type “PNG collective-3rd” has been introduced, which unifies
only with an impersonal (“SI”) subject.
In former cases (a) to (c), transitive and ditransitive verbs are concerned.
8.7. Still missing ... a) The grammar doesn't deal with the cliticization of argument of nouns (e.g. “Il
presidente NE ha apprezzato la DECISIONE”).
b) The grammar doesn't deal with the cliticization of modifiers (e.g. “Il marito LE ha
comprato un regalo”).
c) The grammar doesn't allow for "intersective" clitic positioning (e.g. " non voglio
doverLO ammettere")
D3.3 Very basic grammar for I Revision 0.1
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DeepThought IST-2000-30161 Page 30 (of 55)
