Variation in Complement Types in Shtokavian (Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian): Acceptability Judgments Data (Factors: Modal Flavor, Complement Size and Aspectual Verbs)

This dataset explores the interplay of modal flavor (epistemic, circumstantial, deontic), complement size (VP/TP in the sense of Wurmbrand et al., 2020), and aspectual verbs on the choice and preference for different types of clausal complements (infinitive vs. finite) in Štokavian (Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian). The data were collected between July and November 2023 through an online survey designed in Sosci (Leiner, 2018), targeting native speakers across the Štokavian-speaking region.

The sample comprises 514 participants (368 females, 138 males, 4 non-binary, 4 undeclared; Age: mean = 26.38 years, SD = 10.22), distributed across the Štokavian-speaking countries as follows: Serbia (n = 345), Croatia (n = 79), Bosnia (n = 45), Montenegro (n = 36), other (n=4), and non-declared (n=5). Convenience sampling and a snowballing method were employed to recruit participants.

The dataset includes acceptability judgments of clausal complements, with stimuli and variables detailed in accompanying README files. The survey was conducted in the four varieties of BCMS (Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin, Serbian), allowing for comparative insights within the Štokavian continuum.

This dataset will be useful for researchers studying syntax, semantics, and language variation within Štokavian and other South Slavic languages as well issues in complementation in general. 

The database is accompanied by an interactive data-based geospatial visualization showing the acceptability ratings of infinitives (INF) and finite complements (DPC) with modal, aspectual and volitional verbs across the Štokavian-speaking region.