The x-bar theory

Question 1

Generative grammar?

Answer 1

A theory of cognitive psychology and a theory of linguistics in which grammar is viewed as a cognitive faculty.

Question 2

What is X-bar theory?

Answer 2

X-bar theory proposes that every phrase in every sentence in every language is organized the same way.

Question 3

What are specifiers?

Answer 3

SPECIFIER position: the, a, this, one, two;

Question 4

What are adjuncts?

Answer 4

ADJUCTS: all optional modifiers; additional
information; always represented at the bar
level!

Question 5

What are complements?

Answer 5

COMPLEMENTS: necessary, required by verbs, nouns, prepositions,adjectives.
They are sisters to heads!

Question 6

What is the binary branching theory?

Answer 6

The binary branching theory is a principle
within syntax that restricts the way sentences are derived and represented in
tree diagrams.
The operation is called binary because it
only allows every part of the tree diagram
to split into two nodes with one head node and one constituent, or only one branch in some cases.
Exception: conjunction

Question 7

DP hypothesis?

Answer 7

The determiner is the head that takes a NP as a complement.

Question 8

What are thematic roles?

Answer 8

Thematic roles represent the meanings of the arguments required by the verb, the predicator of the sentence.

Question 9

SUBJECT DP MOVES BECAUSE OF?

Answer 9

1) EPP (Extended Projection Principle) which requires all clauses to have a subject.
The specifier of finite TP must be filled with a theta-marked DP or CP
2) DP needs to get CASE

Question 10

Case theory?

Answer 10

Case Filter: All DPs must get case. If DP doesn’t get a case, the structure crashes.