Types of Negative Concord systems

Abstract This chapter argues that the contrast between Strict and Non-strict NC languages lies in the fact that, in Strict NC languages, every overt negative element carries an uninterpretable negative feature [uNEG], and the only negative element carrying an interpretable negative feature [iNEG] is the abstract negative operator. This proposal, then, also predicts a mirror image of Non-strict NC systems, where all neg-words and the abstract negative operator carry [iNEG], and the NM carries [uNEG]. The chapter shows that such systems indeed exist and that they can be found, for instance, in certain varieties of Afrikaans. It also shows that in languages like French and English, only some negative elements carry a feature [iNEG] or [uNEG], yielding a so-called Partial NC system. The result of this may be that, in languages like English or Hindi, the number of overt negative elements equals the number of semantic negations, so that the NC system is actually invisible.