S ITIUIL I 11 11 51 6 B Dispatch: 5.1.09 Journal: STUL CE: Blackwell Journal Name Manuscript No. Author Received: No. of pages: 25 PE: Indumathi HEBREW AS A PARTIAL NULL-SUBJECT LANGUAGE* Ur Shlonsky Abstract. To account for the tense-wise and person-wise uneven distribution of null subjects in Hebrew, we argue first that Hebrew finite T can have either a full phi set - with person and number, a partial one - with number only or no phi set at all. Second, Hebrew pro is argued to lack a person feature. Feature matching with T consequently fails when T has [person], but succeeds when T lacks [person], albeit with the subject interpreted impersonally. Third, 'contr' f pro involves the assignment of a person feature to pro, rendering it e of reference. Fourth, the fact that Hebrew pro can only be first or sec n is an illusion: The speech act participants are associated with a f ead SAPo, to which the first and second person pronouns c1iticize. Th independently-referring pro at all in Hebrew 1. Introduction possible in every tensed possible in past and future tense sent tense clauses. the subject of numerous studies: E.g., 3, 1988), Gutman (1999, 2004), Landau 9), Shlonsky (1987, 1990, 1997). The present work and the data it has unearthed in light engendered by the minimalist tum of Chomsky subsequent work. Hebrew is a partial null subject language, mani(!,sM ree intertwined asymmetries in the distribution of covert subje nouns. The referentiality asymmetry: Non-referential argumental null subject environment but one. The person asymmetry: Referential null subjects are first and second person inflection; third person covert only possible in contexts of (non-standard) binding and/or'Ca'fitXQI The tense asymmetry: Referential null subjects clauses. They are ruled-out Hebrew covert pronoun Borer (1986, 1989), D (2004), Vainikka & contribution reco of the conceptu (1995: Chapter 31 * I ,,,,",l¥"iefUl to the organizers of the Workshop on Partial Pro Drop at Cambridge University;iti4une 2006 for soliciting this paper and encouraging this work, to IdanLandau andlo tw6$tudia Linguistica reviewers for written comments. Parts of this paper have been preserit,da't the University of the Aegean in Rhodes and at the University of Siena. I am grateful to the audiences at these venues for their comments and suggestions. Studia Linguistica 63(1) 2009, pp. © The author 2009. Journal compilation © The Editorial Board of Studia Linguistica 2009. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK, and 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, USA