Aspect and Partitive Objects in FinnishAbstractFinnish case system presents a problem for de Hoop's theory, since it does not show a one-to-one correspondence between case morphology and semantic reading of the objects. Based on the generalization developed by Kiparsky (1998), I argue that the distribution of accusative vs. partitive case on Finnish objects depends on VP aspect. I propose an analysis based on the syntactic approach developed by Borer (1994), in which event structure is encoded in the functional projections, and the distinct aspectual interpretations can be derived from the syntax of the arguments. I propose that the movement of the direct object to the specifier of AspP is allowed if (i) the object represents a specific quantity; and (ii) AspP is available in the syntactic structure. If any of these conditions is not met, the object remains within the Verb Phrase and receives weak case. I suggest that AspP is not projected in irresultative predicates, thus there is no position for the object to move to. Since the object remains within the VP, it receives the weak partitive case regardless of the strength of the determiner or the cardinality denoted in Number Phrase. Hence, in irresultative predicates, the direct object receives a strong reading, while bearing a weak partitive case. |