Move Alpha: Conditions on Its Application and Output (Current Studies in Linguistics) (Volume 22)

Lasnik, Howard; Saito, Mamoru

ISBN 10: 026262091X / ISBN 13: 9780262620918

Published by The MIT Press, 1994

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Move Alpha: Conditions on Its Application and Output (Current Studies in Linguistics) (Volume 22)
• Publisher: The MIT Press
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 026262091X
• ISBN 13: 9780262620918
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 13 ounces

About this title

Synopsis

This major contribution to modern syntactic theory elaborates a principles-and-parameters framework in which the differences and similarities among languages with respect to WH-questions can be captured. Move α is part of an overall program, initiated by Noam Chomsky, to create a global theory in which the entire transformational component can be reduced to a single process, Move α. Lasnik and Saito are concerned particularly with bounding requirements on movement (Subjacency) and proper government requirements on traces (The Empty Category Principle). The first two chapters present and extend the ideas proposed in the author's earlier article, On the Nature of Proper Government. Included are detailed discussions of γ-marking, the general rule Affect α, and the definition of proper government, particularly as these relate to WH constructions. The next two chapters propose a modification of Chomsky's Barriers Theory on the basis of a close examination of topicalization and examine the consequences of the modified theory. The discussion extends to restrictions on possible antecedent governors and the implications for quantifier raising and NP-movement of these restrictions. Consequences for Superiority are also considered, and a modified version of this condition is proposed, as is an extension of Chomsky's Uniformity Condition. The final chapter takes up further theoretical issues and alternative approaches.

About the Authors

Howard Lasnik is a Professor at the University of Connecticut.

Mamoru Saito is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut.