The interpretation of null subjects in Romanian. An information-structure approach for comparative analysis.

This paper explores the acceptability and interpretation of referential null subjects in Romanian in different syntactic conditions and distinct clause types (matrix clauses, embedded under bridge verbs, embedded under factive verbs and adverbial clauses). Based on the results of an original online survey (carried out by almost 80 respondents), it is shown that Romanian is a consistent pro-drop language, in which no partial pro-drop properties can be found. Furthermore, the results emerged from the analysis provide significant support to the validity of an information-structure approach to the interpretation of null subjects, in which the Topic Criterion (Frascarelli 2007), the formation of Topic chains and the existence of silent Topics play a crucial role.