Understanding Minimalist Syntax

Understanding Minimalist Syntax introduces the logic of the Minimalist Program by analyzing well-known descriptive generalizations about long-distance dependencies. An introduction to the logic of the minimalist program - arguably the most important branch of syntax Proposes a new theory of how long-distance dependencies are formed, with implications for theories of locality, and the minimalist program as a whole Introduces the logic of the minimalist program by analyzing well-known descriptive generalizations about long-distance dependencies, and asks why they should be true of natural languages Rich in empirical coverage, which will be welcomed by experts in the field, yet accessible enough for students looking for an introduction to the minimalist program.

Understanding Minimalist Syntax introduces the logic of the Minimalist Program by analyzing well-known descriptive generalizations about long-distance dependencies.* An introduction to the logic of the minimalist program - arguably the most important branch of syntax* Proposes a new theory of how long-distance dependencies are formed, with implications for theories of locality, and the minimalist program as a whole* Introduces the logic of the minimalist program by analyzing well-known descriptive generalizations about long-distance dependencies, and asks why they should be true of natural languages* Rich in empirical coverage, which will be welcomed by experts in the field, yet accessible enough for students looking for an introduction to the minimalist program.

Acknowledgments xi1 Introductory Remarks 11.1 The Framework 11.2 Outline of the Book: Goals and Structure 42 The Marks of Successive Cyclicity (The What-Question) 92.1 Subjacency and the Emergence of Successive Cyclicity 92.2 The Evidence 112.2.1 Syntax 112.2.2 Morphology 142.2.3 Phonology 222.2.4 Semantics 232.2.5 Morpho-syntactic evidence from overtly stranded pieces 262.3 A-movement 292.4 Conclusion 343 The Distribution of Intermediate Landing Sites (The Where-Question) 393.1 Punctuated vs. Uniform Paths 403.2 The Difficulties Faced by Punctuated Path Hypotheses 433.2.1 Phases: an overview 443.2.2 Conceptual arguments for phases 463.2.3 Arguments against phases 483.2.4 Old problems for phases 503.2.5 No empirical argument for phases 543.3 Conclusion 614 The Timing of Intermediate Steps of Movement (The When-Question) 644.1 Early vs. Late Successive Cyclicity 644.2 Takahashi (1994) 664.3 The Evidence for Early Successive Cyclic Movement 704.3.1 Background information on applicatives 714.3.2 The need for early successive cyclic movement 764.4 Potential Arguments for Late Successive Cyclic Movement 804.4.1 Sub-extraction out of a moved element 804.4.2 Intervening traces 824.4.3 Object agreement 834.5 Conclusion 865 The Motivation for Intermediate Movement Steps (The Why-Question) 905.1 Last Resort 905.2 Problematic Cases 915.2.1 Concord 915.2.2 Successive cyclicity 925.3 Anti-locality 1015.4 Anti-locality and Successive Cyclicity 1065.5 Anti-locality and Last Resort 1105.6 The Why-Question 1135.7 Conclusion 1176 Alternative Views on Successive Cyclicity 1196.1 TAG-based Accounts 1196.2 An Agreement-based Account 1256.3 Prolific Domains 1296.4 Greed-based Approaches 1296.5 Conclusion 1327 Successive Cyclicity and Other Aspects of Locality 1337.1 The Standard View on Islands 1347.2 Puzzles for the Standard View 1367.2.1 Movement, freezing, and escape hatch 1367.2.2 Island by default? 1377.2.3 Island-obviation 1377.3 Ross's View 1457.4 Agreement and Islandhood 1457.5 Conclusion 1488 Concluding Remarks 150References 152Index 167