Object Control in Korean: How Many Constructions?

Abstract

Korean seltukhata ‘persuade’ and similar predicates that take a propositional complement (marked with -tolok) license three object control constructions: 1) accusative persuadee in the matrix clause precedes the embedded clause (ACC1); 2) accusative persuadee follows the embedded clause (ACC2); 3) persuadee in the nominative case appears in the embedded clause (NOM). Prior accounts treated these constructions as derivationally related, arguing either for semantic or syntactic analysis of control. Using primary data and processing results, we argue that ACC1 and ACC2 are structurally distinct, the former instantiating obligatory control, the latter, non-obligatory control. Additionally, we provide evidence that NOM may be an instance of non-obligatory control.