Diferential object marking in Catalan Descriptive and theoretical aspects Monica Alexandrina Irimia 1 and Anna Pineda 2,3 1 University of Modena and Reggio Emilia | 2 Sorbonne Université | 3 Universität zu Köln In this paper we provide a comprehensive picture of diferential object marking in Catalan, focusing on both the empirical facts and their theoreti- cal contribution. We support some important conclusions. First, Catalan diferential object marking is quite a robust and widespread phenomenon, contrary to what prescriptive grammars assume. Second, we show that, from a formal perspective, Catalan diferential object marking cannot be completely subsumed under hierarchical generalizations known as scales. The contribution of narrow syntax mechanisms and nominal structure is fundamental, supporting recent views by López (2012) or Ormazabal and Romero (2007, 2010, 2013a, b), a.o. Building on these works as well as on observations initially made by Cornilescu (2000) and Rodríguez- Mondoñedo (2007), a.o., we adopt an analysis under which canonical, animacy-based diferential marking results from the presence of an addi- tional (PERSON) feature, beyond Case. This structural make-up is not only at the core of diferences marked objects exhibit from unmarked objects with a Case feature, but also derives the prominence of diferential marking on (animates) under information-structure processes, in the high lef (and right) periphery, in contexts of the type discussed by Escandell-Vidal (2007a, b, 2009). Keywords: Catalan, diferential object marking, indirect objects, locatives, person, dative, licensing of diferential object marking, clitic (doubling) 1. Introduction The so called ‘prepositional accusative’ is a defning characteristic of several Romance varieties (Rohlfs 1971, 1973, Bossong 1991, 1998, Dobrovie-Sorin 1994, Pensado 1995, Torrego 1998, Cornilescu 2000, Fiorentino ed 2003, Laca 2006, Leonetti 2004, 2008, Iemmolo 2010, López 2012, Ormazabal and Romero 2013a, b, https://doi.org/./lv..iri | Published online:  August  Linguistic Variation ISSN - | E‑ISSN - © John Benjamins Publishing Company