Cross-linguistic marking of non-verbal predication

I propose an investigation into how adjective phrases (APs), prepositional phrases (PPs) and noun phrases (NPs) come to function as predicates in the sentence, i.e., a study of the semantic and syntactic machinery required for non-verbal predication. My point of departure is the cross-linguistic functional (i.e., non-lexical) marking found with non-verbal predicates: copular particles, copulas and predicative case. I propose that such marking shows that non-verbal predication requires functional material beyond the predicate itself (AP, PP or NP). The sensitivity of non-verbal predicate marking to various aspects of the predicate, such as its lexical category, whether it denotes a more or less transient state, etc., varies across languages. This cross-linguistic variability permits a detailed investigation into the structure of the minimal unit of non-verbal predication (the small clause), thus offering a unique insight into (a) syntactic and semantic distinctions between various lexical categories and (b) the notion of predication itself. In particular, I will study and reject the hypothesis that non-verbal predication is impossible in absence of functional material, and propose instead that at least some of the functional material accompanying non-verbal predication is required in order to connect the small clause to various verbal domains. The difference between various lexical categories can be shown to connect to the independently attested differences in how they function with respect to identity criteria and temporal stability. Therefore, this research will not only contribute to but also refine the general theory of lexical categories and lexical specification. As a result, this research will shed light on the most basic notions of traditional and generative grammar.