The Negative Imperative in Southern Calabria. Spirito Greco, Materia Romanza Again?

Abstract The aim of this article is to investigate a special case suppletion in the paradigm negative imperative some dialects southern Calabria. First, we show how these paradigms involve extension an original infinitival desinence present indicative verb, giving rise hybrid imperatival form (Section 2). Second, claim that pattern does not represent Romance-internal development but, rather, outcome contact-induced change and, particular, influence local Greek sub-/adstrate 3). Furthermore, patterns also provide significant evidence for formal morphosyntactic equivalence between competing finite and Romance non-finite forms subordination, typical Balkanism 4). Finally, demonstrate according underlying model yields synchrony alternation suppletive positive true imperative, typologically very rare opposition 5).