Optionality in the Expression of Indefiniteness: A Pilot Study on Piacentine

Optionality is an issue within the minimalist theory of language, in which principle “last resort” does not admit competing options to express same meaning. What needed a solid empirical base showing that apparently forms do specialize for some syntactic/semantic traits. Hence, aim this pilot study investigate optionality choice indefinite determiners Piacentine, Italo-Romance variety spoken north-western Italy. Sixteen native Piacentine speakers were presented with questionnaire collect linguistic data. Statistical analyses data performed seek correlations between and traits controlled for. The results indicate displays four main determiners, labeled ART, di+art, bare di, ZERO. ART di+art are most widespread allowing both narrow wide scope occurring all investigated contexts. Bare di instead unmarked form expressing non-existential indefiniteness negative contexts only has scope. ZERO co-varies its use was strengthened by contact Italian, preventing loss, differently from French, lost instead.