Clitics and Infinitive Vassals

Abstract

Word order of Czech enclitics is quite difficult to acquire for studentsof Czech as foreign language. While native speakers can “hear” the correct word order, theforeigner needs a set of rules to guide him. The usual rule for the word order of fixed enclitics seemsto be breached quite often. The article focuses on one type of sentences in which the rule for theword order of fixed enclitics is violated, namely in sentences which except for a finite verb includean infinitive and consequently two series of enclitics. The finite verb and the infinitive each syntacticallygovern (are governor to) their respective enclitics which in turn are their subjects (recta). Ifthe infinitive is part of the sentence predicate, the enclitics follow the usual rule of word order unlessthe infinitive becomes part of the sentence rhema (comments). In that case its subjects precedeit. If the infinitive is not part of the sentence predicate (in other words it is subject, object or complement),precedes it then the infinitive subjects follow it. However, if the infinitive is not part ofthe sentence predicate, and is placed at the sentence end, then its subjects precede it. If the infinitivefunctions as an attribute to a noun, it follows the noun. If the nominal phrase N + infinitivestarts a sentence then the reflexive particle se/si follows the infinitive in 98% of cases. If the encliticpersonal pronouns occur in the reversed order, i.e. Acc.–Dat. order, or two dative enclitics followone immediately after another then the enclitics subjects are as close as possible to their regens/governor. The so-called contact dative, which does not have a governor, is not bound in this way10912