Installment 11b. Still more loose ends about A-movement (Chapter 8, more or less) CAS LX 522 Syntax I.

Installment 11b. Still more Installment 11b. Still more loose ends about A-movementloose ends about A-movement

(Chapter 8, more or less)(Chapter 8, more or less)

CAS LX 522CAS LX 522Syntax ISyntax I

Recap: V2 languagesRecap: V2 languages There are a number of languages that are classified There are a number of languages that are classified

as “verb second” or “as “verb second” or “V2V2” languages. They are so ” languages. They are so called because in general the (tensed) verb must be called because in general the (tensed) verb must be second, after the first major constituent in the second, after the first major constituent in the sentence.sentence. De man De man heeftheeft een boek gezien gisteren. een boek gezien gisteren. (Dutch)(Dutch)

the man the man hashas a book seen yesterday a book seen yesterday‘the man ‘the man hashas seen a book yesterday.’ seen a book yesterday.’

een boek een boek heeftheeft de man gezien gisteren. de man gezien gisteren. gisteren gisteren heeftheeft de man een boek gezien. de man een boek gezien.

Die Kinder Die Kinder habenhaben diesen Film gesehen. diesen Film gesehen. (German)(German)the children the children havehave this film seen this film seen‘The children ‘The children havehave seen this film.’ seen this film.’

Diesen Film Diesen Film habenhaben die Kinder gesehen. die Kinder gesehen.

Recap: V2 languages Recap: V2 languages The basic idea we’ll pursue with respect to V2 The basic idea we’ll pursue with respect to V2

languages is this:languages is this: To get the tensed verb higher than the subject To get the tensed verb higher than the subject

(which is sometimes is), we move the verb to T, and (which is sometimes is), we move the verb to T, and then T (with the verb) to C.then T (with the verb) to C.

To put C into “second position”, we move some To put C into “second position”, we move some phrase into SpecCP.phrase into SpecCP.

The “first phrase” in V2 languagesThe “first phrase” in V2 languagesis generally interpreted as the topicis generally interpreted as the topicof the sentences. So, we say that theof the sentences. So, we say that thetopic (whatever it is going to be) hastopic (whatever it is going to be) hasa feature that marks it as such:a feature that marks it as such:An interpretable [top] feature.An interpretable [top] feature. TP

C

C+T+V+v

CP

DPdiesen Roman

[top]

Recap: V2 languages Recap: V2 languages The way our system works (movement happens The way our system works (movement happens

in order to check strong uninterpretable in order to check strong uninterpretable features), we implement this as follows:features), we implement this as follows: Because the verb moves to T, we need there to be a Because the verb moves to T, we need there to be a

strong feature checked between T and strong feature checked between T and vv.. This is common cross-linguistically. Recall This is common cross-linguistically. Recall

French,where the highest verbal head (the French,where the highest verbal head (the vv, or an , or an auxiliary) moves to T.auxiliary) moves to T.

This explained why verbs always precedeThis explained why verbs always precedeadverbs and negation in French.adverbs and negation in French.

Since the [tense] feature of TSince the [tense] feature of Tvalues the [values the [uuInfl:Infl:] feature of] feature ofthe highest verbal head, wethe highest verbal head, wesay that in French, when [tense]say that in French, when [tense]values [values [uuInfl:Infl:], the feature is], the feature isstrong.strong.

VP

vP

T

T[past]

v

v[uInfl:past*]

V

Recap: V2 languages Recap: V2 languages So, So, vv starts out with a [ starts out with a [uuInfl:Infl:] feature.] feature.

vv alwaysalways starts out with a [ starts out with a [uuInfl:Infl:] feature.] feature. We Merge T, and the [tense] feature (e.g., [past] = We Merge T, and the [tense] feature (e.g., [past] =

[tense:past]) matches and values the [[tense:past]) matches and values the [uuInfl:Infl:] feature.] feature.

What differentiates French and English is that when What differentiates French and English is that when [tense] values [[tense] values [uuInfl:Infl:], the valued [], the valued [uuInfl:Infl:] feature is ] feature is strongstrong..

In English, it is not strongIn English, it is not strongexcept in one case: if theexcept in one case: if the[[uuInfl:Infl:] feature is one an] feature is one anauxiliary (Perf, Prog, Pass),auxiliary (Perf, Prog, Pass),then a [then a [uuInfl:Infl:] feature valued ] feature valued by [tense] is strong.by [tense] is strong. Auxiliaries precedeAuxiliaries precede

negation and adverbs,negation and adverbs,main verbs do not.main verbs do not.

VP

vP

v

T

T

<v>T[past]

v[uInfl:past*]

V

Reminder: Strong Reminder: Strong featuresfeatures Strong features are uninterpretable features that Strong features are uninterpretable features that

can only be checked when they are can only be checked when they are local tolocal to (a (a sister of) the feature that checks them.sister of) the feature that checks them. Strong features very often = something must move.Strong features very often = something must move.

A feature gets to be strong in one of two ways:A feature gets to be strong in one of two ways: An An inherently strong featureinherently strong feature of the lexical item. of the lexical item.

vv has a strong [ has a strong [uuV*V*] feature.] feature. TT has a strong [ has a strong [uuD*D*] feature.] feature. eateat (V) (V) has a strong [has a strong [uuD*D*] feature (associated with the Theme ] feature (associated with the Theme --

role).role). A feature that becomes A feature that becomes strong when valuedstrong when valued..

Prog Prog has a weak [has a weak [uuInfl:Infl:] feature. When valued by [tense], it ] feature. When valued by [tense], it becomes strong. becomes strong. (In English, Aux moves to T: (In English, Aux moves to T: I am not eating I am not eating green eggs & hamgreen eggs & ham))

TT has a weak [ has a weak [uuclause-type:clause-type:] feature. When valued by [clause-] feature. When valued by [clause-type:Q], it becomes strong. type:Q], it becomes strong. (In English, T moves to C in (In English, T moves to C in questions: questions: Would you eat them on a train?Would you eat them on a train?))

Recap: V2 languages Recap: V2 languages To account To account for the fact that for the fact that vv moves to T and then T moves to T and then T

moves to C in German: a feature that C values on T is moves to C in German: a feature that C values on T is valued as strong.valued as strong.

[[uuclause-type:clause-type:] is a perfect candidate.] is a perfect candidate. So, when [So, when [uuclause-type:clause-type:] is valued by C in German, it is ] is valued by C in German, it is

valued as strong, and so T moves to C.valued as strong, and so T moves to C.

VP

vP

v

T

T

<v>T[past,uclause-type:decl*]v

[uInfl:past*]V

TP

C

Subject

C[decl]

Recap: V2 languages Recap: V2 languages To account To account for the fact that for the fact that vv moves to T and then T moves to T and then T

moves to C in German: a feature that C values on T is moves to C in German: a feature that C values on T is valued as strong.valued as strong.

[[uuclause-type:clause-type:] is a perfect candidate.] is a perfect candidate. So, when [So, when [uuclause-type:clause-type:] is valued by C in German, it is ] is valued by C in German, it is

valued as strong, and so T moves to C.valued as strong, and so T moves to C.

VP

vPv

TT

<v>

T[past,uclause-type:decl*]v

[uInfl:past*]V

TP

C

SubjectC[decl]

C

<T>

Recap: V2 languages Recap: V2 languages To account To account for the fact that the topic moves into SpecCP, we for the fact that the topic moves into SpecCP, we

say that C has a [say that C has a [uutop*top*] feature] feature. . Whatever is the topic in the Whatever is the topic in the sentence will have a feature designating that, [top].sentence will have a feature designating that, [top]. Just like the EPP feature ([Just like the EPP feature ([uuD*D*]) of T forces the subject into SpecTP, ]) of T forces the subject into SpecTP,

the [the [uutop*top*] feature of C will force movement of the topic into SpecCP.] feature of C will force movement of the topic into SpecCP.

VP

vPv

TT

<v>

T

vV

TP

C

Subject[top]

C[decl,utop*]

C

<T>

Recap: V2 languages Recap: V2 languages To account To account for the fact that the topic moves into SpecCP, we for the fact that the topic moves into SpecCP, we

say that C has a [say that C has a [uutop*top*] feature] feature. . Whatever is the topic in the Whatever is the topic in the sentence will have a feature designating that, [top].sentence will have a feature designating that, [top]. Just like the EPP feature ([Just like the EPP feature ([uuD*D*]) of T forces the subject into SpecTP, ]) of T forces the subject into SpecTP,

the [the [uutop*top*] feature of C will force movement of the topic into ] feature of C will force movement of the topic into SpecCP.SpecCP.

VP

vPv

TT

<v>

T

vV

TP

C

<Subject>C[decl,utop*]

C

<T>

CP

Subject[top]

Embedded clausesEmbedded clauses Will John arrive late?Will John arrive late?

T moves to C in English questions.T moves to C in English questions. [[uuclause-type:clause-type:] on T is strong when valued by [Q] on C.] on T is strong when valued by [Q] on C.

I wonder [I wonder [CP CP ifif John will arrive late ]. John will arrive late ]. T does not move to C in embedded questions.T does not move to C in embedded questions. Perhaps because C is “filled” already (by Perhaps because C is “filled” already (by ifif).). Intuition: We need to be able to tell when C is [Q]— if nothing is Intuition: We need to be able to tell when C is [Q]— if nothing is

pronounced there, we move T there to signal that C is [Q].pronounced there, we move T there to signal that C is [Q].

Er sagte [Er sagte [CPCP dass dass ich schon letztes Jahr diesen Roman ich schon letztes Jahr diesen Roman laslas ] ]he said he said thatthat I already last year this book I already last year this book readread‘He said that I read this book already last year.’‘He said that I read this book already last year.’ If C is filled in German (If C is filled in German (dassdass), T does not move to C.), T does not move to C. Also notice that when T does not move to C, Also notice that when T does not move to C, the verb is at the the verb is at the

endend.. German appears to be a German appears to be a head-final head-final language.language.

Interlude: what we’re Interlude: what we’re doingdoing

Remember, what we’re doing is trying to Remember, what we’re doing is trying to describe our describe our knowledge of languageknowledge of language.. We believe that the intricacies of human language We believe that the intricacies of human language

are actually too complicated to are actually too complicated to learnlearn, that we’re in , that we’re in fact describing a kind of system that is genetically fact describing a kind of system that is genetically “built-in”, sort of like our vision system.“built-in”, sort of like our vision system.

If that’s the case, the same system must underlie If that’s the case, the same system must underlie all human languages, and the differences must be all human languages, and the differences must be relatively minor.relatively minor.

We’re identifying a few “parameters of We’re identifying a few “parameters of variation”— ways in which human languages can variation”— ways in which human languages can differ.differ.

Interlude: what we’re Interlude: what we’re doingdoing

What we’re saying here is that languages can What we’re saying here is that languages can differ in a few small respects, and differ in a few small respects, and we can we can account for thataccount for that:: Headedness:Headedness: heads come before complements in some heads come before complements in some

languages (English), and after complements in others languages (English), and after complements in others (Japanese, German).(Japanese, German).

Verb-raising:Verb-raising: some languages move some languages move vv to T (French), to T (French), others don’t. others don’t. (Under what conditions does T value (Under what conditions does T value [[uuInfl:Infl:] as strong?)] as strong?)

V2:V2: some languages move some languages move vv all the way to C (through all the way to C (through T), and topicalize something, yielding the V2 pattern. T), and topicalize something, yielding the V2 pattern. (Under what conditions does C have a [(Under what conditions does C have a [uutop*top*] feature ] feature and value [and value [uuclause-type:clause-type:] as strong?)] as strong?)

EPP:EPP: VSO languages seem to move VSO languages seem to move vv up to T, but don’t up to T, but don’t move the subject to SpecTP, yielding VSO.move the subject to SpecTP, yielding VSO. (Does T have (Does T have a [a [uuD*D*] feature?)] feature?)

V2…step V2…step 11 V moves to V moves to vv..

Perf moves to T.Perf moves to T. T moves to C.T moves to C.

Vgelesen

VP

DPdiesen Roman

v

v

vP

<DP>

T

<Perf+T>

TP

DPich

v<V>

C

CØ

[Decl]

C

Perf+Thabe

[Decl*] PerfP

<Perf>

V2…step 2aV2…step 2a The object is The object is

marked as marked as topic.topic.

C has a [C has a [uutop*top*] ] feature.feature.

Vgelesen

VP

DPdiesen Roman

[top]

v

v

vP

<DP>

T

<Perf+T>

TP

DPich

v<V>

C

CØ

[Decl,utop*]

C

Perf+Thabe

[Decl*] PerfP

<Perf>

V2…step 2bV2…step 2b The object The object

moves up to moves up to SpecTP.SpecTP.

The tensed verb The tensed verb is now in second is now in second position.position.

Vgelesen

VP

<DP>

v

v

vP

<DP>

T

<Perf+T>

TP

DPich

v<V>

C

CØ

[Decl,utop*]

C

Perf+Thabe

[Decl*] PerfP

<Perf>

CP

DPdiesen Roman

[top]

I saw Jack open the I saw Jack open the fridgefridge

Given what we have so far, what can we Given what we have so far, what can we make of make of I saw Jack open the fridgeI saw Jack open the fridge??

This is a little bit like This is a little bit like I want Jack to open I want Jack to open the fridgethe fridge, so let’s start there., so let’s start there. What kind of verb is What kind of verb is wantwant?? What is the case of What is the case of JackJack, and how is it , and how is it

checked?checked? What kind of embedded clause is this (CP or What kind of embedded clause is this (CP or

TP)?TP)?

I want Jack to open the I want Jack to open the fridgefridge

We build the We build the vvP as P as usual.usual.

Merge Merge openopen with with the the fridgefridge (forming VP). (forming VP).

Merge Merge vv with VP (HoP). with VP (HoP).

Move V to Move V to vv

Merge Merge JackJack with with vv..

Vopen

VP

DPthe

fridge

v

v

vP

DPJack

v<V>

I want Jack to open the I want Jack to open the fridgefridge

Merge Merge vvP and P and the nonfinite T the nonfinite T to.to.

Move Move JackJack up to up to SpecTP (EPP).SpecTP (EPP).

vP

T

Tto

TP

DPJack

Vopen

VP

DPthe

fridge

v

v

vP

<DP>

v<V>

I want Jack to open the I want Jack to open the fridgefridge And then we add And then we add

the main clause the main clause ((wantwant, , vv, T, , T, II, C), C)

vP

T

Tto

TP

DPJack

Vwant

VP

vP

v

v<V>

T

T[pres]

TP

DPI

CP

CØ

Vopen

VP

DPthe

fridge

v

v

vP

<DP>

v<V>

I saw Jack open the I saw Jack open the fridgefridge And then we add And then we add

the main clause the main clause ((wantwant, , vv, T, , T, II, C), C)

vP

T

Tto

TP

DPJack

Vwant

VP

vP

v

v<V>

T

T[pres]

TP

DPI

CP

CØ

Vopen

VP

DPthe

fridge

v

v

vP

<DP>

v<V>

What now of What now of I saw Jack I saw Jack open the fridgeopen the fridge??

Presumably the lower Presumably the lower vvP P is the same.is the same. We have the same We have the same

verbs, same arguments.verbs, same arguments.

JackJack is the Agent of is the Agent of openopen

The fridgeThe fridge is the is the Theme.Theme.

But there’s no But there’s no toto. So . So what if there’s just no what if there’s just no T?T?

I saw Jack open the I saw Jack open the fridgefridge

Does everything work?Does everything work? Does Does JackJack get its case get its case

checked?checked? From where?From where?

Any other unchecked Any other unchecked features?features?

It appears that It appears that seesee can can take something as small as take something as small as a a vvP as its complement. A P as its complement. A small clausesmall clause..

Vsee

VP

vP

v

v<V>

T

T[past]

TP

DPI

CP

CØ

Vopen

VP

DPthe fridge

v

v

vP

DPJack

v<V>

Small clausesSmall clauses There are actually several different kinds of There are actually several different kinds of

small clausessmall clauses. A small clause generally . A small clause generally consists of a predicate and just enough consists of a predicate and just enough structure to contain all of its arguments.structure to contain all of its arguments. Predicates can be found with several different Predicates can be found with several different

categories. A predicate is something like a property categories. A predicate is something like a property (or a relation) that can be attributed to something (or (or a relation) that can be attributed to something (or some things).some things).

I saw Bill open the fridge.I saw Bill open the fridge. I consider Bill incompetent.I consider Bill incompetent. I saw Bill in the garden.I saw Bill in the garden. I consider Bill a friend.I consider Bill a friend.

I saw Bill in the gardenI saw Bill in the garden InIn can be considered a can be considered a

predicate, relating two predicate, relating two arguments.arguments. (true when the first is (true when the first is

“contained” in the second)“contained” in the second) Of course, this can also Of course, this can also

mean that I did some seeing mean that I did some seeing in the garden, and that in the garden, and that seeing was a seeing of Bill—seeing was a seeing of Bill—but that’s not the meaning but that’s not the meaning we’re after. The meaning we’re after. The meaning we’re after here is the one we’re after here is the one that can be paraphrased as: that can be paraphrased as: I saw that Bill was in the I saw that Bill was in the garden.garden.

DPthe garden

P

Pin

PP

DPBill

I saw Bill in the gardenI saw Bill in the garden As with As with I saw I saw

Bill open the Bill open the fridgefridge, , seesee seems to be seems to be able to take a able to take a small clause small clause as it as it complement.complement.

DPthe garden

P

Pin

PP

DPBill

Vsee

VP

vP

v

v<V>

T

T[past]

TP

DPI

CP

CØ

I consider Bill I consider Bill incompetentincompetent

We’ve seen small clauses with verbs…We’ve seen small clauses with verbs… I heard [I heard [vvPP Bill drive away ]. Bill drive away ].

……and with prepositions…and with prepositions… I heard [I heard [PPPP Bill in the kitchen ]. Bill in the kitchen ].

……but things get a little bit funny when we but things get a little bit funny when we consider small clauses with nominal consider small clauses with nominal predicates and adjectives…predicates and adjectives… I consider [ Bill a friend ].I consider [ Bill a friend ]. I consider [ Bill incompetent ].I consider [ Bill incompetent ].

……and even with unaccusative verbs…and even with unaccusative verbs… I saw [I saw [vvPP the ice melt ] the ice melt ]

I saw the ice meltI saw the ice melt

With an unaccusative verb like With an unaccusative verb like meltmelt, , we would start off with this we would start off with this vvP.P.

See the problem?See the problem?

Vmelt

VP

DPtheice

vP

v

v<V>

*I saw *I saw melt the melt the

iceice

Something isn’t Something isn’t quite right quite right here.here.

In order not to In order not to complicate complicate things too things too much, we will much, we will not pursue the not pursue the solution very solution very far, but just as far, but just as an exercise, an exercise, let’s think let’s think about what we about what we would need to would need to say.say.

Vmelt

VP

DPtheice

vP

v

v<V>

Vsee

VP

vP

v

v<V>

T

T[past]

TP

DPI

CP

CØ

*I saw *I saw melt the melt the

iceice

Somehow Somehow the the iceice needs to needs to move over move over meltmelt. . But to where?But to where? We could say We could say

SpecSpecvvP, but why P, but why would would the icethe ice move there just move there just when we have a when we have a small clause small clause unaccusative?unaccusative?

*I the ice melted.*I the ice melted.

Also, this won’t Also, this won’t help us with a help us with a similar problem similar problem we’d have withwe’d have withI consider Bill I consider Bill my friendmy friend..

Vmelt

VP

DPtheice

vP

v

v<V>

Vsee

VP

vP

v

v<V>

T

T[past]

TP

DPI

CP

CØ

*I saw *I saw melt the melt the

iceice

A suggestion that A suggestion that has been made in has been made in the literature is that the literature is that small clauses, while small clauses, while they may lack a T, they may lack a T, are still a category are still a category of their own: a of their own: a PredPPredP (predication (predication phrase).phrase).

If we suppose that If we suppose that we have a PredP we have a PredP above above vvP, one that P, one that acts like T insofar as acts like T insofar as it has a [it has a [uuD*D*] ] feature, our problem feature, our problem will be solved.will be solved.

Note: You will not Note: You will not be asked to draw be asked to draw PredP.PredP.

Vmelt

VP

DPtheice

vP

v

v<V>

Vsee

VP

vP

v

v<V>

T

T[past]

TP

DPI

CP

CØ

I saw the I saw the ice meltice melt

Vmelt

VP

<DP>

vP

v

v<V>

Vsee

VP

vP

v

v<V>

T

T[past]

TP

DPI

CP

CØ

Pred

Pred[uD*]

PredP

DPthe ice

Etc.Etc. From here, I’ll just leave this as a topic for From here, I’ll just leave this as a topic for

further exploration, e.g., in Syntax II.further exploration, e.g., in Syntax II. Things get pretty complicated pretty quickly when Things get pretty complicated pretty quickly when

trying to deal with all of the properties of small trying to deal with all of the properties of small clauses. clauses. (Try thinking about (Try thinking about I consider Bill my I consider Bill my friendfriend.).)

You’ve been exposed to the concept.You’ve been exposed to the concept. If you see small clauses again in this course, it If you see small clauses again in this course, it

will only be of the PP type:will only be of the PP type: I saw Bill in the garden.I saw Bill in the garden. I want Bill off this ship.I want Bill off this ship.

To repeat: You do not need to incorporate PredP To repeat: You do not need to incorporate PredP into the system for the purposes of LX522.into the system for the purposes of LX522.

I consider Bill my friendI consider Bill my friend Small clauses need not have verbs. Small clauses need not have verbs. I saw I saw

Bill in the gardenBill in the garden, for example. Here, the , for example. Here, the main predicate is main predicate is inin..

We’ve seen nouns assign We’ve seen nouns assign -roles before, -roles before, for example in for example in Bill’s destruction of the Bill’s destruction of the vasevase..

Here, it seems like Here, it seems like BillBill is getting a role is getting a role from from friendfriend. The property . The property friendfriend is being is being attributed to attributed to BillBill..

I possess this friend, so we’ll want a PossP I possess this friend, so we’ll want a PossP as well.as well.

I I consider consider Bill my Bill my friendfriend

This is almost This is almost right, but…right, but… When do nouns When do nouns

assign assign -roles?-roles? How does How does

everything get everything get case?case?

How is How is BillBill selected selected as the DP to raise as the DP to raise to SpecPredP? to SpecPredP? (What feature is (What feature is matched?)matched?)

Nfriend

NP

DPBill

nP

n

n<N>

Poss

Poss

PossP

<DP>

D

D

DP

DPmy

Pred

Pred

PredP