Starting with the idea that the notion “pronoun” is not a primitive of linguistic theory, we propose that it is necessary to recognize (at least) three pronoun types: pro-DP, pro-fP, and pro-NP. Evidence supporting this three-way split comes from the sensitivity of certain proforms to the predicate/argument distinction, the internal structure of proforms, and the binding-theoretic properties of proforms. Recognizing different pronoun types also sheds light on the formal (dis)similarities between obviation and switch-reference.

pronoun, clitic, agreement, DP syntax, predicate/argument asymmetries, binding theory, obviation, switch-reference
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© 2002 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2002
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