comparative syntax mon 12 dec 94 21 04 31 est amr ares cs wayne edu wrote subject comparative syntax really like scott delancey say syntactic reconstruction usually based clues buried morphology morphophonology nt think always case rather famous example involving rule ancient greek one variety old iranian languages gatha seem recall whereby neuter pl subject triggers sg agreement verb pattern often reconstructed protolanguage understand apparent oddity reconstruction logically dependent nt believe identity actual morphemes marking gender number person languages would think many quirks syntax could basis reconstruction phenomenon mentioned ancient greek apply well latin nt appear quirk syntax rather _ apparently odd _ motivated _ rule _ invariable agreement regarded quirk meaning neuter pl subjects still showing ancient greek latin evidence ancient collective case usually triggered sg agreement verb numerous examples show pseudo rule nt always observed semantic considerations time moreover metrical reasons poets governed agreement syllepsis thus believe quirks syntax least one particular could basis reconstruction la plupart sont accord n estce pas literally french regards philippe l valiquette universite laval dep linguistique phlcvali vm1 ulaval ca philippe valiquette lli ulaval ca