Local Instability: Split Topicalization and Quantifier Float in German - Couverture rigide

Ott, Dennis

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 3110290375 ISBN 13 : 9783110290370

Editeur : De Gruyter, 2012

Synopsis

This monograph argues for a novel approach to split topicalization and quantifier float in German, based on the premise that syntactic structure-building proceeds solely via free application of Merge. Following recent developments in the pursuit of a more principled theory of syntax, it is argued that the stipulative notion of 'projection' ought to be dispensed with: syntactic objects created by Merge are not headed, and endocentricity arises due to a simple search algorithm. When this algorithm fails, specifically in symmetric {XP, YP} structures, an unlabeled constituent results; where a label is required, such structures are locally unstable. It is argued that both split topics and floated quantifiers are the result of this kind of local instability: when an exocentric predication structure is merged in argument or adjunct position, XP must be displaced at the phase level to allow for determination of a label. It is this symmetry-breaking movement that yields the 'split constituent' in surface form. Based on careful empirical scrutiny of two recalcitrant problems for syntactic theory, the present work adduces substantial support for a 'minimalist' grammatical architecture devoid of phrase-structural residue.

A propos du livre

À propos de l?auteur

Dennis Ott, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: De Gruyter
• Date d'édition: 2012
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 3110290375
• ISBN 13: 9783110290370
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 182
• Coordonnées du fabricant: productsafety@degruyterbrill.com; productsafety@degruyterbrill.com; ; Theaterstraße 13; Göttingen; 37073; Allemagne