An experimental perspective on embedded gapping in Persian

Abstract This paper empirically tests the embedding constraints on gapping in Persian. It has been suggested that differs from other kinds of ellipsis banning embedding. However, first counter-examples literature come Following up previous experiments embedded several languages, we report results two acceptability judgment tasks. Our show that, while is overall acceptable Persian, speakers’ judgements also vary depending semantic type predicate, as well presence/absence complementizer. Data Persian highlight despite cross-linguistic variation observed with respect to gapping, a general constraint at work across languages: non-factive verbs embed more easily than factive ones; inside verbs, semi-factive (cognitive) predicates true (emotive) ones. Moreover, whereas theoretical indicates no systematic preference for absence or presence complementizer these new experimental data suggest drop. To account gradience our data, propose an approach based rather grammaticality.