The morpho-syntax of OE verbs: The role of T(ense) and the role of v (=stem)

Abstract

The paper is about the processing or computation of verbs in OE (and also verbs in the first half of the ME period). It is argued that T is the head that interprets the tau-features that expone as -d- for Past forms of weak verbs, and that v (that is, the stem) is the head that interprets the corresponding tau-features for Present and Past forms of strong verbs, that is those that expone as ablaut. As for the Present of weak verbs, it is argued that a second T head interprets corresponding features, which exhibit two notable traits: on the one hand, these features constitute a combination of tau- and phi-features; on the other hand, these features expone as the last segment for all verbal forms, that is Present and Past forms of both weak and strong verbs (which entails a situation of partial redundancy). The segment in question is the one traditionally referred to as 'subject agreement endings'. Further, I reject the analysis of Present forms of weak verbs (which would have one less segment than all other forms) as forms where 'impoverishment rules' (see the Distributed Morphology framework) apply.