On Old English Word Order

Abstract

In this paper I discussed the most important recent theories about non-configurational syntax and extended the discussion to Old English data. The viability of either a configurational or a non-configurational analysis is explored with the help of so-called indirect passive constructions. However, these constructions do not require a non-configurational analysis, since a regular, hierarchical structure can accommodate the NP arguments. The problem, then, is that in order to make a configurational proposal, we have to adopt the operation of an extra case-assignment principle-the so-called chain-government principle, which remains an ad hoc solution without apparent motivation. In this respect, I suggested the underlying assumption that old English is an SOV language with a hierarchical structure, displaying a fair amount of regularity and conformity. Verb-particle combinations and the phenomena of extraposition were suggested as strong supporting evidences for the underlying SOV hypothesis in Old English