Objects Binding Reflexives in Norwegian

Norwegian (and Swedish and Danish) reflexives are usually assumed to be subject oriented. The option of an object binding a reflexive has frequently been claimed to be very restricted or non-existing. This assumption has been an important premise for research on Norwegian binding from Hellan 1988. I argue that objects binding reflexives represent a regular and productive and acceptable option in Norwegian. This situation has several interesting consequences for binding theory.

An object is an optional binder. It is not the case, however, that any object can bind a reflexive, and an important question is then what factors make it possible. A traditional idea is that an object can bind a reflexive when the reflexive is a part of a phrase that is a predicate of the object. It is shown that this is not a necessary condition. It is also not necessary that there is a 'point of view' effect.

The alternative to be suggested is 'multi-prominence': Various dimensions of prominence together contribute to an object's ability to bind a reflexive. A necessary, but not sufficient condition is that the object is syntactically more prominent than the reflexive. In addition to syntactic prominence, the object must be relatively high on the prominence scales for thematic role, animacy, definiteness, etc.