A Person Approach To Impersonal Passive In Null Subject Languages And Elsewhere

Abstract

In this article, I propose a novel approach to impersonal passive in null subject languages (NSLs), and elsewhere, based mainly on Pers(on) feature and implicit arguments, e.g. pro. It is proposed that pro is the external argument of impersonal passive. pro is specified as a 3 generic/indefinite human agent, and is associated with the PM. The PM is projected as a PassP (= Passive Phrase) headed by Pass. PassP is assumed to be a phase, whose head, i.e. Pass, is ɸ-complete. Pass is assumed to have two probes, namely Agree Feature and Edge Feature (EF). EF is motivated by the unvalued [uGenr] feature, as a sub-feature of Person, and by LF interpretation reasons. This [uGenr] is also assumed to be a dissociated feature from ɸ-composition. Pass agrees with pro in impersonal passive. Like active, pro in our proposal merges in Spec-vP. In Spec-vP, pro values its -role of agent by v at Merge. An Agree is established between pro and Pass, the result of which is valuing Pass’s unvalued features and the unvalued Nom Case of pro. Pass’s EF triggers pro to remerge in its Spec, hence valuing Pass’s [uGenr] feature.