Nouns and Noun Phrases - University of Macau Library

1080 Syntax of Dutch: nouns and noun phrases
It is, however, not correct to claim that definite noun phrases are categorically
excluded in the expletive construction. When the expletive construction contains a
definite subject that is explicitly marked as introducing a new “topic”, the result is
acceptable. This marking typically involves the adjective volgende ‘following’,
which is used to announce a list of “new” topics, as in (71a&b). Another option that
seems to favor this construction is the adverb nog in (71b&b′). Note that examples
like (71b′) are also possible with noun phrases introduced by the distal
demonstrative pronoun, but not with the proximate one; this is discussed in Section
5.2.3.2.2, sub II.
(71) a. Er waren de volgende gastsprekers op de conferentie: ...
there were the following invited.speakers at the conference
b. .. en dan zijn er nog de volgende problemen: ten eerste, ...
.. and then are there still the following problems first
‘.. and then we still have the following problems: first ...’
b′. .. maar dan/nu is er ook nog het probleem van de afvalverwerking.
.. but then/now is there also still the problem of the waste disposal
‘.. but then/now we still have the problem of waste disposal.’
It is generally assumed that the expletive er occupies the canonical subject position,
and that the indefinite subject occupies some lower position in the clause,
presumably its base-position within the VP. If so, the expletive construction is just
another case (in addition to scrambling) that shows that indefinite noun phrases
resist leftward movement within the middle field of the clause.
I. Specific/nonspecific readings
The indefinite noun phrase in an expletive construction can either be specific or
nonspecific. The most plausible reading of (72a) is the one where the speaker is not
able to identify the person in question, whereas the most plausible reading of (72b)
is that at least the speaker is able to identify the person in question in discourse.
These examples also show that the nonspecific indefinite noun phrase in (72a) must
follow the adverb, that is, cannot be scrambled. The specific one in (72b), on the
other hand, can more readily be placed in the position in front of the adverb, which
indicates that it can at least marginally be scrambled. In the case of a quantifier like
iemand ‘someone’ in (72c), scrambling is even the normal means to make the
distinction between the two interpretations: when the quantifier follows the adverb,
it is preferably construed as nonspecific, whereas it must be construed specifically
when it precedes it.
(72) a. Er is gisteren overreden.
there is a man yesterday run.over
‘A man was run over yesterday.’
b. Er is < ? een broer van mij> gisteren overreden.
there is a brother of mine yesterday run.over
c. Er is gisteren overreden.
there is someone yesterday run.over