Backward vs. forward control/raising: A case of Lak aspectual verbs

This paper presents novel data from Lak exemplifying morpho-syntactic properties
of aspectual verbs ‘to begin’ and ‘to finish’. The aspectual verbs in Tsez (Polinsky &
Potsdam 2002), a language related to Lak, have been analysed as either backward
control or raising depending on a number of their syntactic characteristics. When
applied to Lak, the same tests produce a different result – the Lak aspectual verbs
do not pattern with either control or raising. It is suggested that the aspectual
construction is an example of clause union. The evidence in support of this proposal
comes from A’-movement, agreement, and transitivity harmony.