Adverbial and Argument-Doubling Clauses in Cree - MSpace

clauses are in non-argument positions, and that we must find a way to account for the
dissimilarities between these two types of clauses without appeaiing to a difference in
structural position.
2.4 Baker's Analysis of Mohawk, a Polysynthetic Language
One of the most prominent writers on non-contigurational syntax is Mark Baker with his
work on Mohawk, an Iroquoian language. In his 1991 paper, 'On some SubjedObject
Asymmetries in Mohawk, ' and his 1996 book, Thr Polysyn~hesis Puramter, Baker sets
up two different types of subordinate clauses in Mohawk, adjuncts and complement
clauses. These clauses mimic the distinction found in configurational languages, having
different structural positions. The complement clause is generated within VP and adjunct
clauses are generated outside VP.
Baker acknowledges the general viewpoint that the central arguments of the verb
are not manifested by overt NPs in this nonconfigurational language. He assumes there is
a hierarchical organiration to the clause stnicture of Mohawk, just as in configurational
languaqes. He does not, however, extend the view of non-argument positions for overt
NPs into subordinate clauses.
In his 199 1 anicle, Baker explains the difference between the acceptability of
complement clauses and overt NPs in argument positions by way of the Case Filter. The
Case Filter applies at S-structure, and serves to bar NPs which have phonetic features and
appear in argument positions, but are without Case. This filter has no effect onpro or on
S (CP). The Case Filter applies at different levels of representation, both PF and LF. NPs