주격에 대하여 -소위 "주격 목적어"를 중심으로-

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the prevalent notions on Nominative Case and to provide a universally effective explanation of Case assignment. The author particularly concentrates on the notion of "Nominative Object," which she c1aims to be non-existent. Nominative Object" is in fact Accusative (or Partitive in the case of existential sentences, or Pathetive Case in the case of Ergative constructions) in default form. Cases are typically signalled by corresponding forms. However, default forms may be used when there is no need for distinction with other NPs, or when the NP is not sa1ient enough for the position. Animacy can be one of the factors for restricting the use of default form. In many languages inc1uding lndo-European Nominative Case is signa11ed by zero desinence which happens to be identica1 with default form. Thats why confusion has arisen to view the default form of non-Nominative Cases as Nominative. (Note that there are languages such as Korean and Japanese which have distinct markers for Nominative.) Sometimes Accusative or Partitive Case in default form is reinterpreted as Nominative (and as subject) and shows agreement. It is the resu1t of abduction process, which is impelled by the formal identity between default form and the (zero) form signalling Nominative Case. Pressure to have a subject may also promote the reinterpretation. In sum, Nominative Case is not an unmarked or zero Case which may be used in any position for any function, as many scholars have claimed. Nor it is a Case primarily for subject, as traditional theories have claimed.It is a structural case exclusively for subject and is the foremost candidate for agreement. Such new (and narrow) definition of Nominative Case becomes possible only when the existence of default form is acknowledged.