In search for Phases
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Kyle Johnson
Abstract
In this paper, I examine Chomsky’s proposal that the phonological and semantic components interpret syntactic derivations before they are complete. According to Chomsky, syntactic representations are built up from the bottom, and at particular stages, called “phases”, the result of the derivation is interpreted semantically and phonologically. In the past, authors have determined what constitutes phases by way of reconstruction effects, which can be used to determine how a syntactic derivation has occurred. This paper argues against this method, and claims that we should use the locality condition employed for determining anaphor-antecedent relationship instead.
Abstract
In this paper, I examine Chomsky’s proposal that the phonological and semantic components interpret syntactic derivations before they are complete. According to Chomsky, syntactic representations are built up from the bottom, and at particular stages, called “phases”, the result of the derivation is interpreted semantically and phonologically. In the past, authors have determined what constitutes phases by way of reconstruction effects, which can be used to determine how a syntactic derivation has occurred. This paper argues against this method, and claims that we should use the locality condition employed for determining anaphor-antecedent relationship instead.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Phrasal and clausal architecture 1
- Restructuring and clausal architecture in Kannada 8
- The position of adverbials 25
- Bare, generic, mass, and referential Arabic DPs 40
- The possessor raising construction and the interpretation of subject 66
- Syntactic labels and their derivations 93
- Separating “Focus Movement” from Focus 108
- In search for Phases 146
- Wh-movement, interpretation, and optionality in Persian 167
- Structure preservingness, internal Merge, and the strict locality of triads 188
- Using description to teach (about) prescription 206
- ‘More complicated and hence, rarer’ 221
- Prescriptive grammar 243
- The syntax of valuation and the interpretability of features 262
- Linear sequencing strategies or UG-defined hierarchical structures in L2 acquisition? 295
- Minimalism vs. organic syntax 319
- Location and locality 339
- Conceptual space 365
- ‘Adjunct theta-roles’ and the configurational determination of roles 396
- Author index 412
- Subject index 417
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Phrasal and clausal architecture 1
- Restructuring and clausal architecture in Kannada 8
- The position of adverbials 25
- Bare, generic, mass, and referential Arabic DPs 40
- The possessor raising construction and the interpretation of subject 66
- Syntactic labels and their derivations 93
- Separating “Focus Movement” from Focus 108
- In search for Phases 146
- Wh-movement, interpretation, and optionality in Persian 167
- Structure preservingness, internal Merge, and the strict locality of triads 188
- Using description to teach (about) prescription 206
- ‘More complicated and hence, rarer’ 221
- Prescriptive grammar 243
- The syntax of valuation and the interpretability of features 262
- Linear sequencing strategies or UG-defined hierarchical structures in L2 acquisition? 295
- Minimalism vs. organic syntax 319
- Location and locality 339
- Conceptual space 365
- ‘Adjunct theta-roles’ and the configurational determination of roles 396
- Author index 412
- Subject index 417
