Latin as a split-DP language

In this paper, we discuss known and less known properties of Latin Nominal Expressions that apparently create a paradox. Despite lack of articles and high productivity in left branch extraction, Latin is not a typical NP‐language in the sense of Chierchia (1998) and Bošković (2005, 2008). In many respects, it behaves like its daughter languages, all of which have articles. We solve this paradox proposing a complex nominal structure made of a DP, which hosts overt demonstratives, and a left‐peripheral projection (LPP), parallel to the split CP in clauses. This split DP, based on Giusti (1996, 2006), can account both for the freedom of the orders found inside the Nominal Expression and for the occurrence of discontinuous Nominal Expressions.