RT Journal Article
T1 The derivation of verbs in Old English and Middle English.
A1 Castillo-Orihuela, Concepción
K1 Inglés antiguo - Verbo
K1 Inglés medieval - Verbo
AB Within the framework of minimalist syntax, it is argued that the core-syntax derivation of verbs in OE and ME (up to approx. 1450) is regulated by two licensing T(ense) heads (that is, two T Probes) plus a licensing v head (or v Probe), all of which are in charge of interpreting τ–features. v acts as Probe of v-0 (its Goal) in order to interpret [+/–past] τ–features for strong verbs. This capacity of v is argued to rely on the ablaut distinction between Pret. 1 and Pret. 2, since ablaut is determined by the specific [person] of the subject and must therefore be syntactically derived. This situation comes to an end in the period ca. 1450. Of the two T Probes, [T T] is in charge of interpreting [past] τ–features for weak verbs, and it expones as a /d/ suffix. The other T Probe is labelled here [TAgrT] and is in charge of interpreting [+/–past] τ–features with an additional φ–interpretation. A proof for the existence of this Probe is for the agreement (person and number) endings to co-vary with Present tense and Past tense, despite cases of syncretism between exponents or Vocabulary Items. [TAgrT] is the Probe that is obligatorily present in the licensing of any kind of verb in OE (and also in ME) –whether weak or strong– and therefore it must be held responsible for the configurational status of the latter as a T language.
PB Ediciones Complutense
YR 2022
FD 2022
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/28273
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/28273
LA eng
NO Castillo C. (2022). The derivation of verbs in Old English and Middle English. Complutense Journal of English Studies, 30, 23-37. https://doi.org/10.5209/cjes.80187
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 19 ene 2026