Abstract

In the present article, we deal with one of crucial characteristics of Farsi distinguishing it from partial null subject languages (NSLs). According to pro drop parameters of Rizzi (1982) emphasizing on null personal pronoun and the notion of referentiality, consistent NSLs would allow all kinds of null subjects. In this article we illustrate a counterexample to this prediction i.e. Farsi as a consistent NSL and through language data, we argue although it seems that null subjects are used more in consistent NSLs than partial NSLs, the condition is vice versa with respect to impersonal 3SG pro. In particular, in Farsi like other consistent NSLs and in contrast with partial NSLs, generic 3SG pro is not allowed. In this article we adopt Holmberg (2010)’s approach modifying Rizzi’s parameters and justify the distinction between Farsi and partial NSLs regarding overt and non overt generic impersonal pronoun.