Arguments and Case: Explaining Burzio’s Generalization

The ideas presented by the contributions in this volume originated in a workshop on Burzio’s generalization. Burzio’s Generalization (BG) states that a verb which does not assign an external theta-role to its subject does not assign structural accusative Case to an object and conversely. It connects cross-linguistic similarities between e.g. passives, raising verbs, and unaccusatives. However, it does so by linking very different properties of a predicate. This raises fundamental questions about its theoretical status. The contributions in this volume explore BG’s theoretical basis. A consensus emerges that BG is, in fact, an epiphenomenon, due to the interaction of different principles of grammar. Moreover, the contributions show a striking convergence as to how BG is ultimately derived. The results obtained make a significant contribution to the further development of theories of Case and thematic relations.