Non-configurationality: Free word order and argument drop in Turkish
-
Balkız Öztürk
Abstract
This paper investigates free word order and argument drop in Turkish as the two
properties typically associated with non-configurationality. We will argue that
these properties follow from the lack of case-driven Agree in Turkish phrase
structure. That is, the case feature in Turkish is not located on the functional
heads T and v, but is available within the thematic domain. In languages like
English, on the other hand, given that case is provided by hierarchically ordered
functional projections, i.e., TP > vP, arguments forming case-chains with these
functional heads get represented within a hierarchical configuration. Lack of such
chain formation in Turkish is what creates the flat structure effect, which in turn
facilitates free word order and argument drop.
Abstract
This paper investigates free word order and argument drop in Turkish as the two
properties typically associated with non-configurationality. We will argue that
these properties follow from the lack of case-driven Agree in Turkish phrase
structure. That is, the case feature in Turkish is not located on the functional
heads T and v, but is available within the thematic domain. In languages like
English, on the other hand, given that case is provided by hierarchically ordered
functional projections, i.e., TP > vP, arguments forming case-chains with these
functional heads get represented within a hierarchical configuration. Lack of such
chain formation in Turkish is what creates the flat structure effect, which in turn
facilitates free word order and argument drop.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface & Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
-
I. The locus of (parametric) variation
- Parametric versus functional explanations of syntactic universals 75
- Three fundamental issues in parametric linguistics 109
- On the syntactic flexibility of formal features 143
- Expletives, datives, and the tension between morphology and syntax 175
- Mapping a parochial lexicon onto a universal semantics 219
- Aspect matters in the middle 247
-
II. A classic parameter revisited: the null-subject parameter
- The null subject parameter and correlating properties: The case of Creole languages 271
- The Case-F valuation parameter in Romance 295
- Silent arguments without pro : The case of Basque 311
- Case morphology and radical pro -drop 331
-
III. Parametric clustering
- The macroparameter in a microparametric world 351
- Topic prominence and null subjects 375
- Non-configurationality: Free word order and argument drop in Turkish 411
- Diachronic stability and feature interpretability 441
-
III. The acquisition of parameters
- Can children tell us anything we did not know about parameter clustering? 459
- Parameter setting and input reduction 483
- Index 517
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface & Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
-
I. The locus of (parametric) variation
- Parametric versus functional explanations of syntactic universals 75
- Three fundamental issues in parametric linguistics 109
- On the syntactic flexibility of formal features 143
- Expletives, datives, and the tension between morphology and syntax 175
- Mapping a parochial lexicon onto a universal semantics 219
- Aspect matters in the middle 247
-
II. A classic parameter revisited: the null-subject parameter
- The null subject parameter and correlating properties: The case of Creole languages 271
- The Case-F valuation parameter in Romance 295
- Silent arguments without pro : The case of Basque 311
- Case morphology and radical pro -drop 331
-
III. Parametric clustering
- The macroparameter in a microparametric world 351
- Topic prominence and null subjects 375
- Non-configurationality: Free word order and argument drop in Turkish 411
- Diachronic stability and feature interpretability 441
-
III. The acquisition of parameters
- Can children tell us anything we did not know about parameter clustering? 459
- Parameter setting and input reduction 483
- Index 517
