The expression of indefiniteness and optionality in Eastern Sicilian

Abstract

The expression of indefiniteness in Eastern Sicilian is investigated in this study. An online questionnaire containing a battery of socio-demographic questions, a battery of items derived from the Bilingual Language Profile scale, and a Forced-Choice task with acceptability ratings was used to conduct the research. The stimuli were examined for the presence of event type, and base vs Clitic Left Dislocation with accusative and quantitative clitics in the selection of indefinite determiners in object position. We show that both the Sicilian variety of Italian and the Eastern Sicilian dialects are provided with two core indefinites: the zero determiner (zero) and the definite article (art). We found that both in Italian and in the dialects, the zero determiner is more commonly used in the BASE position in Left Dislocated position resumed by quantitative NE. In the dialects we also find a use of zero in Left Dislocated positions resumed by the accusative clitic. Both in the regional variety of Italian and in Eastern Sicilian the definite article is most used in Left Dislocated positions resumed by accusative LI, but we find a significant occurrence in BASE positions as well. It is never used in Left Dislocated positions resumed by NE.