
At the level of the vP, the mutual configuration of v, dative, and absolutive in psych-verbs but not in motion verbs is as for applicative transitives, and so the PCC arises only in psych-verbs.ĦCross-linguistically, dative > absolutive/nominative unaccusatives do indeed seem to show the PCC if and only if the dative c-commands the absolutive/nominative at the point where the latter Agrees with its Case licenser, v ABS/T NOM. Rezac (2008a) proposes that the distinction between verbs with and without 1/2 :nor-nori forms, like natzaio, is one between psych-verbs with a dative experiencer base-generated in an applicative structure above the theme, (8)a and motion verbs with a dative animate goal of motion originating in a prepositional structure below the theme, (8)b. Since the nor-nori agreement paradigm is otherwise identical for all the verbs above, the PCC cannot be construed as a problem with agreement morphology (Boeckx 2000), at least here (cf.

(MD, Hazparne)ĥAlbizu proposes to relate this restriction to the PCC. Igandetan joaiten nako bisita baten egitera. (Albizu 1997 : 21)Ī Ni Kepari etortzen / *gustatzen nakoī. */ ? ?Ni Mireni baldarra iruditu natzaio.

1 Bonet (1991) demonstrates that relevantly identical patterns are found cross-linguistically, as in French (2) and Spanish (3), and names the restriction the Person Case Constraint or PCC.Ī. By contrast, dative agreement, while normally obligatory in most dialects, can be suspended in precisely this context, for many speakers. Since absolutives must agree in finite clauses, 1 st/2 nd person absolutives are banned here entirely. As (.)ġBasque transitives are subject to the restriction that 1 st/2 nd person absolutive object agreement cannot co-occur with dative agreement (1).
