Theta-head binding in the German locative alternation

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the locative alternation of the spray/load-type with be-prefixation in German on the basis of the analysis of free datives proposed in Hole (2008, 2012, 2014). We argue that both structures involve obligatory variable binding in a local domain,  triggered  by a  functional  theta  head.  The core of  our analysis  elaborates  upon Kratzer’s (2009) proposal to implement reflexivity in an agent-severed system. According to this proposal, binder indices are tied to verbal functional heads (theta heads) instead of so-called antecedent DPs.