Exploring the partial pro-drop property in modern Hebrew

Abstract

The present study aims to analyse the distribution of third persona null pronouns in Modern Hebrew, in comparison with Italian. Based on a comparative interface analysis and authentic examples of spoken language, I will provide a more depth-understanding on the interpretation of pro in different structural contexts, supporting the view that the omission of a subject is pragmatically driven. Specifically, I will explore the possibility that the pronominal system in Hebrew differs from the pronominal system of a pro-drop language like Italian from a prosodic point of view: pronouns that are employed to guarantee topic continuity are not necessary null, rather shortened (phonologically reduced). Actually, Ariel (1990) proposes to investigate in more detail the class of Hebrew unstressed pronouns because it could be more sophisticated then it appears and she assumes that when the speaker wants to refer to an activated topic, he/she uses a shortened pronoun forms. Based on Ariel's intuition, I argue that when a pro is used in Italian, a shortened pronoun does appear in Hebrew, having the same function as Italian null and weak pronouns; this could explain its partial pro-drop nature. In order to verify this, I manipulated some sentences from the corpus, replacing NS occurrences with overt pronouns and comparing their duration and intensity in PRAAT. The idea is to insert a pronoun in clauses that originally were subjectless, then that pronoun is undoubtedly weak (to maintain the same reference like NSs does). The purpose is to demonstrate the existence of shortened pronouns that may explain the pro-drop property of Modern Hebrew. To conclude, phonologically reduced pronouns (imperceptible to the ear) may be use in Hebrew where in Italia a pro is employed.