Differential Object Marking with proper names in Romance languages

Abstract

This article reports on the occurrence of Differential Object Marking (DOM) with proper names in selected Romance languages. The analysis reveals that proper names do not constitute a homogeneous group. More precisely, a distinction of proper names comprised of deity names, personal names, kinship names, animal names, and place names contributes to a better understanding of the synchronic and diachronic variation within Romance languages. In the languages surveyed, animacy and definiteness condition the occurrence of DOM with common nouns. However, animacy seems to pattern differently with proper names than with common nouns, thereby supporting evidence for a grammar of names. In some languages DOM is found with human and animate names (Spanish) while in others it is found with human, animate, and inanimate names (Sardinian). Additionally, the diachronic analysis sheds light on the patterns of DOM expansion and retraction with proper names.