Quantificational constructions in the nominal domain : facets of Dutch microvariation

Abstract

The central topic of this thesis is microvariation in the syntax of nominal constructions in Dutch. Specifically, the focus is on quantificational constructions, among which constructs with numerals, quantitative er, universal quantifier alle and partitives. Using a vast array of novel data from Dutch dialects collected through fieldwork, this thesis on the one hand investigates what Dutch microvariation reveals about the syntax of such constructions. It is shown how Dutch microvariation gains insight into the architecture of the noun phrase: it reveals the role and position of several functional projections in a fashion that could not be established on the basis of the standard language only. On the other hand, it is investigated what Dutch microvariation in these constructions reveals about the locus of syntactic variation. It is concluded that the aforementioned functional projections play a major role here. Specifically, the detected points of variation are (i) the morphological realization of functional heads and (ii) the possibility to move to functional projections. This thesis is of interest to anyone working on the syntax of the nominal domain, numerals, (quantitative) pronouns, (micro)variation and ECP phenomena