Function without content
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Christina Christodoulou
Abstract
In this paper we provide new evidence for the assumption that the content of functional categories should be dissociated from its function (Ritter & Wiltschko 2009, 2011). In particular, we discuss evidence from lexicalization patterns. On standard assumptions, functional categories are intrinsically associated with content; consequently the exponents that spell out these functional categories would also be expected to be intrinsically associated with content. We argue that na spells out INFL before it is associated with any kind of content. This allows for a straightforward explanation of the seemingly erratic distribution of na. We further explore the consequences of this analysis and we provide evidence from the Down Syndrome grammar.
Abstract
In this paper we provide new evidence for the assumption that the content of functional categories should be dissociated from its function (Ritter & Wiltschko 2009, 2011). In particular, we discuss evidence from lexicalization patterns. On standard assumptions, functional categories are intrinsically associated with content; consequently the exponents that spell out these functional categories would also be expected to be intrinsically associated with content. We argue that na spells out INFL before it is associated with any kind of content. This allows for a straightforward explanation of the seemingly erratic distribution of na. We further explore the consequences of this analysis and we provide evidence from the Down Syndrome grammar.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Interfaces in a biolinguistic perspective 1
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Part I. Syntax, semantics
- Single cycle syntax and a constraint on quantifier lowering 13
- A constraint on remnant movement 31
- Language and conceptual reanalysis 57
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Part II. Features and interfaces
- Decomposing force 89
- Function without content 117
- The association of sound with meaning 141
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Part III. Phonology, syntax
- Towards a bottom-up approach to phonological typology 169
- The emergence of phonological forms 193
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Part IV. Language development
- Non-native acquisition and language design 217
- Interface ingredients of dialect design 239
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Part V. Experimental studies
- What sign languages show 265
- Indeterminacy and coercion effects 277
- Computation with doubling constituents 303
- Concealed reference-set computation 339
- Index 363
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Interfaces in a biolinguistic perspective 1
-
Part I. Syntax, semantics
- Single cycle syntax and a constraint on quantifier lowering 13
- A constraint on remnant movement 31
- Language and conceptual reanalysis 57
-
Part II. Features and interfaces
- Decomposing force 89
- Function without content 117
- The association of sound with meaning 141
-
Part III. Phonology, syntax
- Towards a bottom-up approach to phonological typology 169
- The emergence of phonological forms 193
-
Part IV. Language development
- Non-native acquisition and language design 217
- Interface ingredients of dialect design 239
-
Part V. Experimental studies
- What sign languages show 265
- Indeterminacy and coercion effects 277
- Computation with doubling constituents 303
- Concealed reference-set computation 339
- Index 363
