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No Escape from Morphology? Case study of the Czech clitic se

Publication at Central Library of Charles University |
2008

Abstract

The paper outlines possible formal analyses of different functions of the Czech clitic se in the theoretical framework of the generative grammar, with respect to the interaction between the lexicon (morphology) and syntax. On the background of several generative studies dealing with reflexivization, the paper aims to answer the question whether it is possible to hypothesize a unified analysis of four basic functions of the clitic se in Czech or whether it is necessary to assume the existence of several homonymic reflexive clitics.

The paper reaches the conclusion that the best solution is to postulate a single clitic se, which however functions at different points of derivation. The reflexive clitic is thus considered both as an independent lexical element and as an economic morphological realization of some syntactic features.