The empty categories pro and PRO in complement clauses in Spanish: characteristics, explanation, and implications; [Les catégories vides pro et PRO dans les phrases avec complémentation en espagnol: caractéristiques, explications et implications]; [As categorias vazias pro e PRO nas orações com complementação em espanhol: características, explicação e implicações]

Marcos M.C. · Lengua y Sociedad (2025) · DOI: 10.15381/lengsoc.v24i1.29930

Resumen

My interest in the topic of this article arises from the consideration that the categories pro and PRO require a study that links them theoretically and empirically, since they play very important roles, are governed by principles, and are not mere elements that appear sporadically, but are justified morpho-syntactically and semantically. This is considered in the article I published in 2005 in the journal Letras. In this work, I seek to analyze and explain the inclusion of both categories in sentences produced by Spanish speakers in the city of Lima, considering the proposed Principles and Parameters model. Both categories allow for the preservation of information defined at the different levels of representation. The study is descriptive and explanatory. The status of both empty categories is analyzed in relation to the theoretical guidelines of reference, linkage, and control, considering their role as subject and object in completive clauses. © Los autores.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos