Parametric variation in differential object marking in Italo-Romance

Abstract

This article provides an exhaustive review of the known variation found in the distribution of differerential object marking across the dialects of Italy, including those of central and northern Italy, in order to identify the relevant dimensions of microvariation in relation to information structure, animacy, specificity, person, number and the head vs phrasal distinction. Despite some similarities with other Romance varieties, there are some notable differences in the distribution of differential object marking in the dialects of Italy. Based on this examination, a parametric hierarchy is developed which maps the differing licensing conditions on differential object marking across Italy in an attempt to highlight the precise pragmatic, semantic and syntactic parameters involved in the observed patterns of distribution, their nature and their possible interactions.