The syntax of exceptive constructions in Arabic

Saeed, Sameerah T. (2023) The syntax of exceptive constructions in Arabic. ACTA LINGUISTICA ACADEMICA, 70 (1). pp. 38-63. ISSN 2559-8201

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Abstract

This paper investigates the underlying structure of exceptive constructions with the Arabic exceptive marker ’illā and reveals the existence of two types of constructions: r(estrictive)-exceptives and s(ubtractive)-exceptives. The underlying factor that distinguishes these two constructions relates to the existence of a subtraction domain in s-exceptive constructions and its absence in r-exceptives. This distinction suggests that the exceptive marker ’illā ‘except' has a different syntactic function in these two constructions. Furthermore, this difference in the functional status of ’illā suggests a different internal and external structure of the ’illā- XP in each of these constructions. I argue that while the ’illā- XP in r-exceptive constructions projects a R-ExP, involving a covert antecedent in the form of the NPIs ’aḥad ‘one' or shay’ ‘thing’ and is a nominal adjunct, in s-exceptive constructions the ’illā- XP forms an S-ExP and can be classified into connected and free exceptives.

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