Long-Distance Agreement in Khwarshi

Abstract In this paper, I discuss long-distance agreement (LDA) in Tsezic languages (Northeast Caucasian). Taking Polinsky and Potsdam’s (2001) analysis of Tsez LDA as a starting point, I explore LDA configurations in closely related Khwarshi. I show that Khwarshi differs from Tsez in that it allows for recursive LDA. In addition, Khwarshi lacks information-structural constraints on the agreeing embedded absolutive, which are attested in Tsez. The choice between LDA and default agreement in this language is seemingly free, except for cases when the embedded clause is nominalized. These findings provide the basis for an alternative analysis of Khwarshi LDA, which draws on the structural ambiguity of clausal arguments of LDA-supporting verbs between an extended verbal projection and the same projection embedded under a nominalizing functional shell, which produces the opacity effect. The difference between Khwarshi- and Tsez-type LDA results from availability of the information-structural shell in the embedded clause, which is responsible for information-structural constraints on the agreeing embedded absolutive and recursion ban.