<OT> New Posting: ROA-857

[roa at ruccs.rutgers.edu]

ROA 857-0806

Location Specific Constraints in Matrix and Subordinate Clauses

Jane Grimshaw <grimshaw at ruccs.rutgers.edu>

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=857


Abstract:
Patterns of inversion, complementizers and adjuncts are
different in main and subordinate clauses.  Inversion occurs
in matrix interrogatives in English, for example, and not
in subordinates. The  hypothesis proposed is that families
of  markedness constraints evaluate syntactic structures
in particular locations: at the top of matrix clauses, at
the top of subordinate clauses and in all projections. 
Interaction among these universal constraints in language
particular rankings generates main versus subordinate syntactic
properties.  Main and subordinate clauses are governed by
the same constraints, relativized to different locations.

Comments: 
Keywords: inversion, complementizer, adjunct, constraint interaction, projections
Areas: Syntax
Type: Manuscript

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=857