Incorporation: Morpho-Syntactic vs. Semantic Considerations

Abstract

This paper deals with two well-established types of incorporation, canonical incorporation of N0 categories and pseudo-incorporation of NP/NumP. It also deals with the proposal that there is a third type of incorporation, involving definite DPs. In addressing this range of incorporation types, it navigates between morpho-syntactic and semantic notions of incorporation and identifies the properties relevant to each. Incorporation, in its various guises, is argued to be morpho-syntactically and semantically distinct from standard complementation as well as compounding. The central thesis is that incorporation involves a nominal with more structure than compound nominals and less structure than normal complements, that incorporated nominals may be attached higher in the verbal spine than compound nominals but lower than than normal complements. The rule of semantic incorporation interprets every node in the morpho-syntax of the structure, with the special effects associated with incorporation arising from the meanings of the componnents and the mode of composition. The paper also argues against a single rule of semantic incorporation applicable to both morpho-syntactically incorporated nominals and unincorporated weak indefinites.

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