On deriving inherent complement verb constructions

This paper has two main goals. First, it highlights an empirical observation about the so-called inherent complement verb constructions in Kwa (Niger-Congo) languages, claiming that such verb-noun (V-N) complexes have a dual status; they behave like regular transitive verbs on the one hand, and like idioms on the other hand. Second, it accounts for this observation as follows: The V-N is initially stored as a fixed complex unit in the lexicon, as per its opaqueness for certain syntactic operations. This accounts for their idiom-like behaviour. In the syntax, this is a problem; the V-N lacks a label (Chomsky 2013). However, the labeling problem can be solved by a movement operation in which V moves to v, allowing the hitherto [V-N] to be labeled as NP. The consequent structure is then able to undergo the relevant morphosyntactic processes.