Restrictiveness in Case Theory

Focusing on the theory of syntactic case, the book explores the intricate relationship between morphosyntax and grammatical function within a unification-based framework. It introduces three ordered constraints governing the association of noun phrases and arguments, emphasizing the concept of "restrictiveness." Beginning with an in-depth analysis of dative substitution in Icelandic, the author examines diverse synchronic and diachronic data to develop a typology of case. This innovative work is essential for those interested in the evolution and cross-linguistic aspects of case systems.