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Bootstrapping verb movement and the clausal architecture of German (and other languages)

  • Gisbert Fanselow
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Advances in Comparative Germanic Syntax
This chapter is in the book Advances in Comparative Germanic Syntax

Abstract

In the mainstream analysis of verb second clauses, the finite verb moves to Comp or one of the various heads present in the cartographic approach to CP. We show that such analyses are not satisfactory empirically, and cannot even be formulated within minimalist syntax. Verb movement – and head movement in general – should rather be analysed in terms of a ‘bootstrapping’ movement, in which the displaced head reprojects in its landing site.

Abstract

In the mainstream analysis of verb second clauses, the finite verb moves to Comp or one of the various heads present in the cartographic approach to CP. We show that such analyses are not satisfactory empirically, and cannot even be formulated within minimalist syntax. Verb movement – and head movement in general – should rather be analysed in terms of a ‘bootstrapping’ movement, in which the displaced head reprojects in its landing site.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Advances in Comparative Germanic Syntax vii
  4. Part I. Cartography and the left periphery
  5. On a ( wh -)moved Topic in Italian, compared to Germanic 3
  6. C-agreement or something close to it 41
  7. Uncharted territory? 59
  8. Bootstrapping verb movement and the clausal architecture of German (and other languages) 85
  9. A conjunction conspiracy at the West Germanic left periphery 119
  10. Part II. Word order and movement
  11. Reconsidering odd coordination in German 151
  12. The syntax and semantics of the temporal anaphor “then” in Old and Middle English 171
  13. Jespersen’s Cycle and the issue of prosodic ‘weakness’ 197
  14. Holmberg’s Generalization 219
  15. Part III. Thematic relations and NP realization
  16. The No Case Generalization 249
  17. The new impersonal as a true passive 281
  18. Anaphoric distribution in the prepositional phrase 307
  19. Part IV. Finiteness and modality
  20. Experiencers with (un)willingness 327
  21. Finiteness 357
  22. Index of subjects & languages 391
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.141.05boo

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Advances in Comparative Germanic Syntax vii
  4. Part I. Cartography and the left periphery
  5. On a ( wh -)moved Topic in Italian, compared to Germanic 3
  6. C-agreement or something close to it 41
  7. Uncharted territory? 59
  8. Bootstrapping verb movement and the clausal architecture of German (and other languages) 85
  9. A conjunction conspiracy at the West Germanic left periphery 119
  10. Part II. Word order and movement
  11. Reconsidering odd coordination in German 151
  12. The syntax and semantics of the temporal anaphor “then” in Old and Middle English 171
  13. Jespersen’s Cycle and the issue of prosodic ‘weakness’ 197
  14. Holmberg’s Generalization 219
  15. Part III. Thematic relations and NP realization
  16. The No Case Generalization 249
  17. The new impersonal as a true passive 281
  18. Anaphoric distribution in the prepositional phrase 307
  19. Part IV. Finiteness and modality
  20. Experiencers with (un)willingness 327
  21. Finiteness 357
  22. Index of subjects & languages 391
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