Final Flashcards
(29 cards)
Asymmetric c-command (Definition)
when one node c-commands another, but the reverse is not possible. I.e. a node X c-commands Y but Y does not C-command X because the two nodes are not sisters
Complement (Definition)
a complement is the first argument that an element selects and merges with, therefore presenting as the sister of the head
the θ-criterion
a rule that states a requirement for a 1-to-1 correspondence between DPs in a sentence and the assigned θ-roles. For every θ-role there is exactly one DP that receives it and every DP is received by only one θ-role.
Projection (definition)
two elements that merge with produce an element that reflects the properties of the head of the previous two. The features from only the head project up and onto the resulting (dominating) node
Wh-movement (definition)
an operation that takes place in questions (which in English typically begin with wh) where the wh-element moves to Spec-CP as a part of the derivation
Non-finite clause (definition)
a non-finite clause is a clause without tense or agreements. they are usually an embedded clause. the subjects of non-finite clauses typically behave differently than subjects of finite clauses.
The Binary Branching Hypothesis
constraint on merge that states only two elements can be merged at a time
The Extension condition
constraint on merge that states two elements can be merged at their roots only
Move (definition)
take a syntactic object that is a constituent of an existing structure and merge it with the entire structure
Merge (definition)
take two syntactic objects X and Y, and join them together at their roots to form a new syntactic object
Why do auxiliaries move to T in English, while main verbs stay in situ (i.e. unmoved)
we need a uFeature in order for move to take place. It makes the most sense to place the uFeature on T, with interpretable counterparts on all the auxiliaries, so only the top one will have to move and T will be identified as the head and will project (T will have a [uAux])
Complementizer (definition)
english embedded clauses optionally start with the word that which forms a constituent together with the following clause
Matrix clause (definition)
the clause than an embedded clause is embedded in
Examples of complimentizers
that, if, whether
Examples of auxiliaries
may, can, will, have, should, would, must
What undergoes wh-movement?
it only applies to a specific set of constituents, called wh-expressions because most of them begin with wh (what, when, where, which, why, how)
The main properties of D that need to be accounted for
complementary distribution of various types of D
combination of D with a complex consituent
number agreement between D and N
cross-linguistic variation in the order of D and N
semantics of familiarity, quantification, proximinity
Hierarchy of Projections
Clausal: T > (Neg) > (Perf) > (Prog) > (Pass) > v > V
Nominal: D > N
wh-expressions
sentences used to pose open-ended questions, which usually start with wh
embedded questions
a clause with a Q feature that is a part of a whole sentence (cannot stand alone)
complementary distribution
one element that is in complementary distribution with another occurs in the same position as another and therefore cannot occur together
in situ
when something stays in its original position
superiority
the element closest is chosen for movement
V2
a word order present in other languages (e.g. German) in which the finite verb is always the second element