Differential case marking in Mongolian

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Mongolian is a typical DOM (Differential Object Marking) language, where the accusative case does not always mark direct objects. This study explores how various cross-linguistic factors influencing DOM—such as referentiality, animacy, and topicality—interact to shape this phenomenon. It argues that examining these factors individually is insufficient; rather, DOM arises from their complex interplay. Additionally, the research addresses a specific type of Differential Subject Marking (DSM) in Mongolian, where subjects of embedded clauses, including adverbial ones, are marked with the accusative case. The study identifies sentence structure as a significant factor, particularly the proximity of main and embedded subjects, which triggers DSM. Both DOM and DSM observations lead to the conclusion that the accusative case in Mongolian serves to differentiate between two arguments not only within a clause but also across clause boundaries. The book includes a comprehensive introduction to relevant aspects of Mongolian grammar, underpinned by extensive experimental studies involving numerous native speakers to ensure robust linguistic evidence.