Constraints on Displacement: A phase-based approach: 7 (Language Faculty and Beyond) - Hardcover

Müller, Gereon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9027208247 ISBN 13: 9789027208248

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co, 2011

Synopsis

This monograph sets out to derive the effects of standard constraints on displacement like the Minimal Link Condition (MLC) and the Condition on Extraction Domain (CED) from more basic principles in a minimalist approach. Assuming that movement via phase edges is possible only in the presence of edge features on phase heads, simple restrictions can be introduced on when such edge features can be inserted derivationally. The resulting system is shown to correctly predict MLC/CED effects (including certain exceptions, like intervention without c-command and melting). In addition, it derives operator-island effects, a restriction on extraction from verb-second clauses, and island repair by ellipsis. The approach presupposes that syntactic operations apply in a fixed order: Timing emerges as crucial. Thus, the book provides new arguments for a strictly derivational organization of syntax. Accordingly, it should be of interest not only to all syntacticians working on islands, but more generally to all scholars interested in the overall organization of grammar.

About this title

Review

Muller's book is very successful in reducing certain locality effects on movement to the PIC. This makes the Minimalist Program more minimalistic, doing away with constraints such as (G)MLC and CED. [T]he book is a must read for linguists working on (locality of) movement, islands, and phases. -- Atakan Ince, on Linguist List 2012

Edition details

• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9027208247
• ISBN 13: 9789027208248
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 350