A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS)

2.4.6. Referential properties of null arguments

In some particular cases, the reference of null arguments in LIS may be ambiguous. One of such cases is verb phrase ellipsis (SYNTAX 2.5). In the example below, the second clause lacks the predicate and the object. The reference of the omitted object (i.e. the car washed by Paolo) is ambiguous as it may refer either to Pietro’s car or to Paolo’s car.

pietro_a car poss_3a water CL(closed G): ‘wash_car’ ix_b paolo identical

‘Pietro washed his car, Paolo did too.’

The ambiguous interpretation of the null object can be resolved through the context.

PDF (italian version)

List of editors

Chiara Branchini & Lara Mantovan

Bibliographical reference for citation

The entire grammar:
Branchini, Chiara and Lara Mantovan (eds.). 2020. A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series). (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Chapter:
Smith, Mary. 2020. Syntax: 3. Coordination and Subordination. In Branchini, Chiara and Lara Mantovan (eds.), A Grammar of Italian Sign Language (LIS). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. ((http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

A Section:
Smith, Mary. 2020. Phonology: 1.1.1.2. Finger configuration. In Mary, Smith, Ben Smith and Carlo Smith (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st ed. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)

Smith, Mary. 2020. Syntax: 3.1.2.1.3. Manual markers in disjunctive coordination. In Mary, Smith, Ben Smith and Carlo Smith (eds.), A Grammar of Catalan Sign Language (LSC). 1st edn. (SIGN-HUB Sign Language Grammar Series), 230-237. (http://sign-hub.eu/grammars/...) (Accessed 31-10-2021)