PERIPHRASTIC DO: HISTORY AND HYPOTHESES

The development of the English periphrastic do (PD) is the central topic of this study. PD is shown to be the result of gradual reanalysis and maximization of structures found in Old English. It is claimed that this change occurred to resolve three conflicting constraints which arose during the shift in underlying order in English from SOV to SVO. It is stressed that the introduction of the obligatory use of PD was not the only possible solution to the problem which had developed. Rather, it is suggested that PD was an extremely economical change since no superficial innovations were required. It is also held that certain pre-conditions had to be met before PD could develop as it did in English. Additional data are supplied from other Indo-European languages to show attested uses of cognates of do or semantic equivalents as further support of the principle of maximization, the central force behind this change.;Chapter III quickly reviews the four major types of theories advanced to explain the development and regulation of PD. In Chapter IV, PD-like structures in Indo-European are investigated. It is seen that the cognates of do or similar verbs have been used in many ways to satisfy language-specific requirements. Especially important is the analysis of the development of PD and PD-like structures in many Celtic languages. In the discussion of the role of PD in Germanic, a novel principled explanation for the disappearance of the causative use of the cognates of do is introduced.;A two-stage analysis is introduced in Chapter V which presents the pre-conditions necessary for the existence of PD. Then, the three motivations for the introduction of obligatory PD are examined. Finally, this proposal is compared to the theories presented in Chapter III. Chapter VI explores the shortcomings of this study.;Chapter I introduces the format of the study and provides certain basic definitions. Chapter II examines the status of PD in Modern English. The major uses of PD are explored.