The Unified Voice Phase Hypothesis and the Nature of Parameterized Functional Heads in a Phase-Label-Driven Model of Radical Minimalism with Special Reference to Slavic Languages

Abstract :

In this paper, we show that the Voice domain heads Voice-related constructions with different functions—personal and impersonal analytic and synthetic Passives, ACC, reflexives, Unaccusatives, and adversative transitive impersonal clauses (cf. Birjulin, 1984, 1993, 1994; Kosta, 1992, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2020b; Lavine, 1998, 1999, 2005; Lavine & Freidin, 2002; Harves, 2009; Fehrmann, Junghanns, & Lennertová, 2010, 2014; Junghanns, Lennertová, & Fehrmann, 2017; Schlund, 2018; Lavine & Babby, 2019). They are determined by the specific argument-predicate hierarchy and the overt or covert expression of subject Theta Roles (cf. Růžička, 1986; Panevová, 2014; Kosta, 2020b,). Some of these constructions have already been aptly described in Bohuslav Havránek’s (1928/1937) trend-setting study, and many influential analyses from generative grammar have been offered, but their formal and functional description and explanation are still not sufficient.