week 8a. adjunction and head-movement cas lx 522 syntax i

Week 8a. Adjunction andWeek 8a. Adjunction andhead-movementhead-movement

CAS LX 522CAS LX 522Syntax ISyntax I

Our model of grammarOur model of grammar Recall our model of grammar: we select items Recall our model of grammar: we select items

from the lexicon, put them on the workbench, from the lexicon, put them on the workbench, pick them up and pick them up and MergeMerge them until we have a them until we have a single object, then pronounce and interpret single object, then pronounce and interpret the result.the result.

Lexicon

Workbench

Merge

pronounce

interpret

AdjoinAdjoin

In addition to Merge, there is another In addition to Merge, there is another thing that we can do with two objects thing that we can do with two objects we pick up from the workbench.we pick up from the workbench.

The new operation is The new operation is AdjoinAdjoin, and it , and it will enable us finally to draw proper will enable us finally to draw proper structures for sentences with structures for sentences with adjectives, adverbs, and modifying adjectives, adverbs, and modifying PPs:PPs: John quickly ate the scrumptious cake on John quickly ate the scrumptious cake on

the lawn.the lawn.

AdjoinAdjoin

The operations The operations MergeMerge and and AdjoinAdjoin are two are two different ways to combine two objects from different ways to combine two objects from the workbench.the workbench.

MergeMerge takes two objects and creates a new takes two objects and creates a new object (with the label inherited from one of object (with the label inherited from one of them).them).

AdjoinAdjoin attaches one object to the top of attaches one object to the top of another one.another one.

quickly

iteat

AP

VP

V DP

VP

iteatV DP

VP

AdjoinAdjoin I generally indicate adjunction with a “double branch” to I generally indicate adjunction with a “double branch” to

keep it clear what is adjoined and what is not.keep it clear what is adjoined and what is not. The concept here is that the VP node has been “stretched The concept here is that the VP node has been “stretched

out” and the AP has been hooked into it.out” and the AP has been hooked into it. The AP occupies a strange position in the tree. It is not a The AP occupies a strange position in the tree. It is not a

sister, nor a daughter of VP. It is sort of in-between. It’s sister, nor a daughter of VP. It is sort of in-between. It’s not not fully fully dominated by VP, it’s only dominated by dominated by VP, it’s only dominated by part part of of VP.VP. AP c-commands the VP, but the VP doesn’t c-command the AP, AP c-commands the VP, but the VP doesn’t c-command the AP,

though we won’t dwell on that here. Merge establishes a mutual c-though we won’t dwell on that here. Merge establishes a mutual c-command relation between two objects, Adjoin establishes an command relation between two objects, Adjoin establishes an asymmetrical c-command relation.asymmetrical c-command relation.

quickly

iteat

AP

VP

V DP

VP

iteatV DP

VP

Good, more terminologyGood, more terminology

Adjoining an object to another results in a Adjoining an object to another results in a multi-multi-segmentsegment node. So, there are two node. So, there are two VP VP segmentssegments below, making up together below, making up together the VP the VP nodenode.. Often you will also see these called “multi-Often you will also see these called “multi-

segment segment categoriescategories”, but we’ll continue to ”, but we’ll continue to call them segments and nodes.call them segments and nodes.

quickly

iteat

AP

VP

V DP

VP

I

IP

Good, more terminologyGood, more terminology X dominates YX dominates Y in just the same conditions as in just the same conditions as

before, except if X is a multi-segment node, all before, except if X is a multi-segment node, all segments of X must dominate Y for X to dominate segments of X must dominate Y for X to dominate Y.Y.

X excludes YX excludes Y if no segment of X dominates Y.if no segment of X dominates Y. AP is AP is dominated dominated by one segment of VP but not by one segment of VP but not

by the other. AP is by the other. AP is not dominated not dominated by VP. AP is by VP. AP is not excluded not excluded by VP.by VP.

X c-commands YX c-commands Y iff:iff: (i) X excludes Y, and(i) X excludes Y, and (ii) Any node that(ii) Any node that

dominates X alsodominates X alsodominates Y.dominates Y.

AP c-commands VP.AP c-commands VP. VP does not c-command AP.VP does not c-command AP.

quickly

iteat

AP

VP

V DP

VP

I

IP

AdjunctionAdjunction The main intuitive idea: adjuncts are “loosely The main intuitive idea: adjuncts are “loosely

connected” and general serve as connected” and general serve as modifiersmodifiers.. Adjuncts are generally Adjuncts are generally optionaloptional (no (no -roles in any -roles in any --

grids).grids). They seem to be able to attach either to the right or the They seem to be able to attach either to the right or the

left.left. They seem to attach to maximal projections.They seem to attach to maximal projections.

quickly

iteat

AP

VP

V DP

VP

I

IP

AdverbsAdverbs Adverbs (at least many adverbs, we’ll look at Adverbs (at least many adverbs, we’ll look at

more later) generally are adjoined to the VP.more later) generally are adjoined to the VP. Pat quickly ate the sandwich.Pat quickly ate the sandwich. Pat ate the sandwich quickly.Pat ate the sandwich quickly.

quickly

thesandwich

eat

AP

VP

V DP

VP

I

I

IP

DPPat

[+Past]

quickly

thesandwich

eat

AP

VP

V DP

VP

I

I

IP

DPPat

[+Past]

AdjectivesAdjectives Similarly, adjectives seem to adjoin to the Similarly, adjectives seem to adjoin to the

NP.NP. the tasty sandwich.the tasty sandwich. Pat’s tasty sandwich.Pat’s tasty sandwich.

tasty sandwichAP

NP

NP

D

DP

theD

D

DP

DPPat

’s

tasty sandwichAP

NP

NP

Mysteries to live with…Mysteries to live with…

(In English, anyway) adverbs can (In English, anyway) adverbs can often appear on the right; adjectives often appear on the right; adjectives seem to be restricted to the left.seem to be restricted to the left.

Adjectives seem to have a fixed order:Adjectives seem to have a fixed order: The big red fluffy sock.The big red fluffy sock. *The fluffy red big sock.*The fluffy red big sock.

Adverbs do too.Adverbs do too. Pat often happily eats a tasty sandwich.Pat often happily eats a tasty sandwich. ?Pat happily often eats a tasty sandwich.?Pat happily often eats a tasty sandwich.

PPs serve the same PPs serve the same functionfunction

PPs often serve to modify the event like PPs often serve to modify the event like adverbs, and are adjoined in the same adverbs, and are adjoined in the same way (on the right).way (on the right). Pat ate the sandwich on the hill in the rain.Pat ate the sandwich on the hill in the rain.

in the rain

the sandwicheat

PP

VP

V DP

I

I

IP

DPPat

[+Past]

on the hillPP

VP

VP

PPs serve the same PPs serve the same functionfunction

PPs can also modify nouns, like adjectives PPs can also modify nouns, like adjectives (again on the right).(again on the right). Pat bought the book with the shiny cover.Pat bought the book with the shiny cover.

D

DP

the

with the shiny coverPP

NP

NPbook

MotivationMotivation One difference between Merge and Adjoin One difference between Merge and Adjoin

is that Merge happens because it is that Merge happens because it hashas to, to, Adjoin happens because it can.Adjoin happens because it can.

We can think of Merge as always We can think of Merge as always happening to check some kind of happening to check some kind of complement or specifier features.complement or specifier features. Verb and object merge to satisfy a Verb and object merge to satisfy a -role (which -role (which

we could cast as a complement feature)we could cast as a complement feature) I merges with VP to check [Inf] (or maybe just I merges with VP to check [Inf] (or maybe just

[V]) complement feature.[V]) complement feature. C merges with IP to check an [I] feature (how C merges with IP to check an [I] feature (how

we can encode the fact that C takes IP)we can encode the fact that C takes IP)

Complements vs. Complements vs. adjunctsadjuncts

PPs in particular seem to be freely PPs in particular seem to be freely reorderable when they are adjuncts.reorderable when they are adjuncts. The book with a red cover by Radford from CUPThe book with a red cover by Radford from CUP The book with a red cover from CUP by RadfordThe book with a red cover from CUP by Radford The book from CUP with a red cover by RadfordThe book from CUP with a red cover by Radford The book from CUP by Radford with a red coverThe book from CUP by Radford with a red cover etc…etc…

But consider But consider book of poemsbook of poems.. Here, Here, of poemsof poems is a fundamental property of the is a fundamental property of the

book, it’s not optional. A book, it’s not optional. A book of poemsbook of poems is a is a different sort of thing than a different sort of thing than a book of cartoonsbook of cartoons..


And notice that And notice that of booksof books cannot reorder cannot reorder with other PPs, it always has to be first.with other PPs, it always has to be first. the book of poems by Radford with a red coverthe book of poems by Radford with a red cover *the book by Radford of poems with a red cover*the book by Radford of poems with a red cover *the book with a red cover of poems by Radford*the book with a red cover of poems by Radford *the book with a red cover by Radford of poems.*the book with a red cover by Radford of poems.

You also can’t have two of this kind of PP:You also can’t have two of this kind of PP: *the book of poems of cartoons with a red cover*the book of poems of cartoons with a red cover

So how might we handle this?So how might we handle this?


Easy: Suppose that Easy: Suppose that of poemsof poems is a is a complement. That puts it close to the complement. That puts it close to the noun (structurally, and thus semantically), noun (structurally, and thus semantically), and there’s only one complement.and there’s only one complement.

with a red cover

of poemsbook

PP

NP

N PP

D

DP

the

by RadfordPP

NP

NP

OneOne-replacement-replacement

Pat bought the book of poems by Radford with Pat bought the book of poems by Radford with the red cover, and Tracy bought…the red cover, and Tracy bought… the one with the blue coverthe one with the blue cover

the (book of poems by Radford) with the blue coverthe (book of poems by Radford) with the blue cover the one by Chomsky with the blue coverthe one by Chomsky with the blue cover

the (book of poems) by Chomsky with the blue coverthe (book of poems) by Chomsky with the blue cover *the one of cartoons by Chomsky with the blue cover*the one of cartoons by Chomsky with the blue cover

*the (book) of cartoons by Chomsky with the blue *the (book) of cartoons by Chomsky with the blue covercover

So, what can So, what can oneone replace? replace?

OneOne-replacement-replacement So, So, oneone can stand in for any can stand in for any maximalmaximal NP. NP. Notice that this gives us evidence for:Notice that this gives us evidence for:

Of poemsOf poems as a complement vs. as a complement vs. with a red coverwith a red cover as an as an adjunctadjunct

The structural reality of the The structural reality of the segmentssegments..

with a red cover

of poemsbook

PP

NP

N PP

D

DP

the

by RadfordPP

NP

NP

Another mystery to live Another mystery to live with…with…

You can also say:You can also say: the linguistics book, the poetry book.the linguistics book, the poetry book.

And you can’t sayAnd you can’t say *I want the linguistics book not the poetry one.*I want the linguistics book not the poetry one.

LinguisticsLinguistics and and poetrypoetry here are acting like the here are acting like the complements were. How might we think of complements were. How might we think of these?these?

Right. But how could we build that structure?Right. But how could we build that structure? Tricky. We’ll have to wait and ponder that a Tricky. We’ll have to wait and ponder that a

little while later.little while later.

X-bar parametersX-bar parameters

Many (most? all?) languages of the world Many (most? all?) languages of the world have something like a have something like a basic word orderbasic word order, , an order in which words come in in an order in which words come in in “neutral” sentences.“neutral” sentences.

EnglishEnglish: : SVOSVO Akira ate an apple.Akira ate an apple.

JapaneseJapanese: : SOVSOV John wa ringo o tabeta.John wa ringo o tabeta.

John top apple acc ateJohn top apple acc ate‘John ate an apple.’‘John ate an apple.’

X-bar parametersX-bar parameters These two word These two word

orders work orders work nicely with X-bar nicely with X-bar theory as it theory as it stands; the stands; the difference can be difference can be stated in terms of stated in terms of a simple a simple parameter which parameter which differentiates differentiates languages as to languages as to whether they are whether they are head-initialhead-initial or or head-finalhead-final..

Veat

VP

an apple

DP

I

I

IP

Akira

DP

-edV

tabe

VP

ringo o

DP

I

I

IP

John

DP

-ta

Notice that in Notice that in English, both V and I English, both V and I are head-initial, and are head-initial, and in Japanese, both V in Japanese, both V and I are head-final. and I are head-final. In fact, In fact, languages languages tend to be consistent tend to be consistent in their headednessin their headedness::

Japanese has Japanese has postpostpositions, C comes positions, C comes afterafter IP in embedded IP in embedded clauses…clauses…

English has English has preprepositions; C comes positions; C comes beforebefore IP in embedded IP in embedded clauses…clauses…

Veat

VP

an apple

DP

I

I

IP

Akira

DP

-edV

tabe

VP

ringo o

DP

I

I

IP

John

DP

-ta



There are also languages in which There are also languages in which the basic word order is VOS, the basic word order is VOS, although they are few in number.although they are few in number.

Malagasy:Malagasy: VOSVOS Nahita ny mpianatra ny vehivavay.Nahita ny mpianatra ny vehivavay.

saw the student the womansaw the student the woman‘The woman saw the student.’‘The woman saw the student.’

See how we might generate an X-See how we might generate an X-bar structure of this?bar structure of this?

X-bar parametersX-bar parameters By changing By changing the order of the the order of the

specifier and the Xspecifier and the X, we can , we can get VOS order, and by get VOS order, and by changing the order of changing the order of bothboth (with respect to English) we (with respect to English) we can get OVS order.can get OVS order.

Malagasy:Malagasy: VOSVOS Nahita ny mpianatra ny Nahita ny mpianatra ny

vehivavay.vehivavay.saw the student the womansaw the student the woman‘The woman saw the student.’‘The woman saw the student.’

Hixkaryana:Hixkaryana: OVSOVS Kana yanïmno bïryekomoKana yanïmno bïryekomo

Fish caught boyFish caught boy‘The boy caught a fish’‘The boy caught a fish’

Vnahita

VP

ny mpia-natra

DP

I

I

IP

ny vehivavay

DP

[PAST]

Vyanïmno

VP

kana

DP

I

I

IP

bïrye-komo

DP

[PAST]


So by changing the parameters of So by changing the parameters of head-complementhead-complement order and order and specifier-Xspecifier-X order we can generate order we can generate the following basic word orders:the following basic word orders: SVOSVO (spec-initial, head-initial)(spec-initial, head-initial) (English) (English) SOVSOV (spec-initial, head-final)(spec-initial, head-final) (Japanese) (Japanese) VOSVOS (spec-final, head-initial)(spec-final, head-initial) (Malagasy) (Malagasy) OVSOVS (spec-final, head-final)(spec-final, head-final)

(Hixkaryana)(Hixkaryana) And that’s And that’s allall……

The problem of VSO The problem of VSO languageslanguages

There are quite a number of There are quite a number of languages, however, for which the languages, however, for which the basic word order is basic word order is VSOVSO. . IrishIrish, , WelshWelsh, and , and ArabicArabic are among them. are among them.

Try as we might, Try as we might, there is there is no way no way to to set the X-bar parameters to get VSO set the X-bar parameters to get VSO orderorder—we have a specifier (the —we have a specifier (the subject) between the verb and its subject) between the verb and its complement.complement.

FrenchFrench

French presents a French presents a similar problem; similar problem; consider the English consider the English sentencesentence I often eat apples.I often eat apples.

The adverb The adverb oftenoften is is an adjunct, attached an adjunct, attached at VP, as seen here.at VP, as seen here.

Veat

VP

VP

apples

DP

I

I

IP

IDP

[PRES]

APoften

FrenchFrench

In French the sentence isIn French the sentence is Je mange souvent des pommes.Je mange souvent des pommes.

I eat often of.the applesI eat often of.the apples‘I often eat apples.’‘I often eat apples.’

The adverb The adverb souventsouvent appears appears between the verb and its between the verb and its complement; there is no place complement; there is no place to put it in this tree.to put it in this tree.

Moreover, it Moreover, it should should be be basically in the same place as basically in the same place as in English, given the in English, given the structural similarity and the structural similarity and the sameness of meaning.sameness of meaning.

Veat

VP

VP

apples

DP

I

I

IP

IDP

[PRES]

APoften

MovementMovement

Consider English yes-no questions…Consider English yes-no questions… To form a question from a statement To form a question from a statement

like:like: Bill should eat his peas.Bill should eat his peas.

We prepose the modal We prepose the modal shouldshould to the to the front of the sentence, before the front of the sentence, before the subject.subject. Should Bill eat his peas?Should Bill eat his peas?

Where is Where is shouldshould in this sentence?in this sentence?

MovementMovement

Should Bill eat his peas?Should Bill eat his peas? There is one position in our sentence structures There is one position in our sentence structures

so far that is to the left of the subject, the one so far that is to the left of the subject, the one where the complementizer where the complementizer thatthat goes (C): goes (C): I said I said thatthat Bill should eat his peas. Bill should eat his peas.

This is not where we expect This is not where we expect shouldshould to be, to be, though. It is, after all, a modal, of category I. It though. It is, after all, a modal, of category I. It is notis not a complementizer. a complementizer.

Also notice that if we embed this question, Also notice that if we embed this question, shouldshould stays after the subject, and stays after the subject, and if if is in C:is in C: I wonder I wonder ifif Bill Bill shouldshould eat his peas. eat his peas.

MovementMovement

All of this suggests that the way to look All of this suggests that the way to look at this is that we start with the at this is that we start with the sentence…sentence… Bill should eat his peasBill should eat his peas

……as usual, and if we’re forming a yes-no as usual, and if we’re forming a yes-no question, we follow this up by question, we follow this up by movingmoving shouldshould to the position of C. If we can’t to the position of C. If we can’t move it (in an embedded question, move it (in an embedded question, there’s already something there’s already something inin C: C: ifif), it ), it stays put.stays put.

MovementMovement

Given that things Given that things dodo seem to move seem to move around in the sentence (that is, they around in the sentence (that is, they start start where we’d expect them to but where we’d expect them to but we we hearhear them somewhere else), this them somewhere else), this gives us a way we might “save X-bar gives us a way we might “save X-bar theory” from Irish and French.theory” from Irish and French.

Let’s go back and look at French Let’s go back and look at French with this in mind…with this in mind…

FrenchFrench

Jean mange souvent des pommes.Jean mange souvent des pommes.Jean eats often of.the applesJean eats often of.the apples‘Jean often eat apples.’‘Jean often eat apples.’

If we suppose that the French If we suppose that the French sentence starts out just like the sentence starts out just like the English sentence, we have the English sentence, we have the underlying representation underlying representation shown here.shown here.

What needs to happen to get the What needs to happen to get the correct surface word order?correct surface word order?

Vmange

VP

VP

despommes

PP

I

I

IP

Jean

DP

[PRES]

APsouvent

FrenchFrench

Jean mange souvent des pommes.Jean mange souvent des pommes.Jean eats often of.the applesJean eats often of.the apples‘Jean often eat apples.’‘Jean often eat apples.’

Of course—the V (Of course—the V (mangemange) ) moves up to the I position.moves up to the I position.

This This alwaysalways happens in French happens in French with a tensed/agreeing verb. with a tensed/agreeing verb. This generally This generally doesn’tdoesn’t happen happen in English.in English.

Hence, the difference in Hence, the difference in “adverb position” (really, of “adverb position” (really, of course, it’s course, it’s verb verb position)position)

Vmange

VP

VP

despommes

PP

V+I

I

Jeanmange+[PRES]

APsouvent

IP

DP

What happens whenWhat happens whenV moves to I?V moves to I?

To show that V attaches to I, To show that V attaches to I, but that I remains primary, but that I remains primary, this is drawn in the tree this is drawn in the tree structure like this.structure like this.

We say that V We say that V head-adjoinshead-adjoins (adjoins, head-to-head) to I.(adjoins, head-to-head) to I.

The head formed this way is The head formed this way is sometimes called a sometimes called a complex complex headhead, (it’s an I with a V , (it’s an I with a V adjoined to it).adjoined to it).

ti

VP

VP

PP

I

IP

DP

mangeAPI

I

Vi[PRES]

V


We should also consider We should also consider what happens to the VP what happens to the VP from which the V moved.from which the V moved.

This too is still a VP, it This too is still a VP, it must still have a head.must still have a head.

We notate the original We notate the original location of the V by location of the V by writing writing tt (standing for (standing for “trace” left behind by the “trace” left behind by the original V), and we co-original V), and we co-index the V and trace to index the V and trace to indicate their indicate their relationship.relationship.

ti

VP

VP

PP

I

IP

DP

mangeAPI

I

Vi[PRES]

V


Since the VP is still a Since the VP is still a VVP, P, it still gets a it still gets a [V][V] category category feature projected up from feature projected up from its head.its head.

So the trace is still a So the trace is still a verbverb.. In fact, there’s no reason In fact, there’s no reason

to suppose that any of the to suppose that any of the features of the original features of the original verb have been removed verb have been removed given that given that [V][V] is still there. is still there.

We We writewrite it as it as tt, but its , but its contentcontent has not changed. has not changed.

ti

VP

VP

PP

I

IP

DP

mangeAPI

I

Vi[PRES]

V


What What hashas changed is that changed is that the original verb is now the original verb is now related to a higher related to a higher position in the tree, and position in the tree, and for many purposes, the for many purposes, the top copy in the tree is top copy in the tree is considered to be primary.considered to be primary.

What we have created by What we have created by moving the verb is a moving the verb is a chainchain of positions in the of positions in the tree that the verb has tree that the verb has occupied.occupied.

ti

VP

VP

PP

I

IP

DP

mangeAPI

I

Vi[PRES]

V


When we think of moved When we think of moved elements in tree elements in tree structures, we will often structures, we will often need to consider the need to consider the chainchain of positions; this is of positions; this is usually written like:usually written like:

( V( Vii , , ttii ) )

referring to the two referring to the two positions held by positions held by VVii and and ttii in the structure here.in the structure here.

ti

VP

VP

PP

I

IP

DP

mangeAPI

I

Vi[PRES]

V


Using indices like that is Using indices like that is kind of reminiscent of what kind of reminiscent of what we did when talking about we did when talking about Binding Theory—and it’s not Binding Theory—and it’s not a coincidence.a coincidence.

A fundamental property of A fundamental property of movement is that the moved movement is that the moved element must element must bind bind (c-(c-command, and be coindexed command, and be coindexed with) the trace in the original with) the trace in the original position:position: Movement is only Movement is only upwards.upwards.

ti

VP

VP

PP

I

IP

DP

mangeAPI

I

Vi[PRES]

V


Great.Great. So So does does VVii c-command c-command ttii??

X c-commands YX c-commands Y iff:iff: (i) X excludes Y, and(i) X excludes Y, and (ii) Any node that(ii) Any node that

dominates X alsodominates X alsodominates Y.dominates Y. ti

VP

VP

PP

I

IP

DP

mangeAPI

I

Vi[PRES]

V

AuxiliariesAuxiliaries English has two auxiliary (“helping”) English has two auxiliary (“helping”)

verbs verbs havehave and and bebe, which cannot serve as , which cannot serve as the main verbs of a sentence but generally the main verbs of a sentence but generally serve to indicate differences in verbal serve to indicate differences in verbal aspect (progressive, past perfect, …).aspect (progressive, past perfect, …).

The auxiliary verbs often The auxiliary verbs often appear appear in I. in I. Radford has had us up until now drawing Radford has had us up until now drawing them as if they exemplify the category I.them as if they exemplify the category I.

But really, these auxiliary verbs But really, these auxiliary verbs areare verbs, verbs, they just have special properties. Among they just have special properties. Among these properties: these properties: they can move to Ithey can move to I..

Auxiliary Auxiliary verbsverbs

The reason we can’t assume the The reason we can’t assume the auxiliaries auxiliaries have have and and bebe are objects are objects of category I is simple:of category I is simple: I I amam not singing. not singing. I will not I will not bebe singing. singing. I will not I will not havehave beenbeen singing singing..

Rather, it looks like the Rather, it looks like the topmosttopmost one one moves to I, so long as nothing else is moves to I, so long as nothing else is in I.in I.

A word on auxiliariesA word on auxiliaries The underlying The underlying

structure of a structure of a sentence with an sentence with an auxiliary verb would auxiliary verb would be something like be something like this, where the this, where the auxiliary verb heads a auxiliary verb heads a VP, and takes the VP, and takes the main verb’s VP as its main verb’s VP as its complement.complement.

VPI

I

IP

DP

-edVP

V

V

…eaten

have

A word on auxiliariesA word on auxiliaries The underlying The underlying

structure of a structure of a sentence with an sentence with an auxiliary verb would auxiliary verb would be something like be something like this, where the this, where the auxiliary verb heads a auxiliary verb heads a VP, and takes the VP, and takes the main verb’s VP as its main verb’s VP as its complement.complement.

VP

I

IP

DP

VP

V

V

…eaten

tihaveI

I

Vi[PAST]

Why does V move to I?Why does V move to I?

Notice that if there is something in I already, Notice that if there is something in I already, like a modal, then even an auxiliary verb like a modal, then even an auxiliary verb doesn’t move up to I.doesn’t move up to I.

John John mightmight not be eating apples. not be eating apples. And moreover, the verb has no tense And moreover, the verb has no tense

inflection.inflection. This all suggests that the view that it is This all suggests that the view that it is the the

affix in Iaffix in I which causes V to move to I. The verb which causes V to move to I. The verb is happy not to move, but will move when it is happy not to move, but will move when it can in order to help I out.can in order to help I out.

The movement is a requirement on I, not on V.The movement is a requirement on I, not on V.

English yes-no questionsEnglish yes-no questions

Now, let’s go back and think about English Now, let’s go back and think about English yes-no questions, which we took originally yes-no questions, which we took originally to be motivation that movement occurs.to be motivation that movement occurs. Bill Bill willwill buy cheese. buy cheese. WillWill Bill buy cheese? Bill buy cheese?

What’s happening here? Well, we saw What’s happening here? Well, we saw earlier that it is reasonable to think that earlier that it is reasonable to think that the modal the modal willwill, which starts out in I, moves , which starts out in I, moves to C in questions.to C in questions. WillWillii Bill Bill ttii buy cheese? buy cheese?


Why does this movement Why does this movement happen?happen?

By analogy with the By analogy with the motivation for V-to-I motivation for V-to-I movement, we will take C movement, we will take C to hold a special (this time to hold a special (this time silent, or perhaps prosodic) silent, or perhaps prosodic) affix that must be joined up affix that must be joined up with I. This affix is the with I. This affix is the “question” morpheme, of “question” morpheme, of category C, which we can category C, which we can write as write as ØØ+Q+Q..

tiVP

I

IP

DP

Ii+C

CP

Bill

buy cheese

will+Ø+Q

I

ØØ+Q+Q

Incidentally, Incidentally, lotslots of languages have of languages have an overt question morpheme, which an overt question morpheme, which adds plausibility to our assumption adds plausibility to our assumption that English has a question that English has a question morpheme in C that is just null.morpheme in C that is just null. Akira ga hon o kaimasita Akira ga hon o kaimasita kaka??

(Japanese)(Japanese)Akira top book acc bought Akira top book acc bought QQ‘Did Akira buy the book?’‘Did Akira buy the book?’


Also notice that if there is an Also notice that if there is an overtovert question morpheme there in English question morpheme there in English (which happens in embedded (which happens in embedded questions), there is no need to move questions), there is no need to move I to C:I to C: I asked if Bill will buy cheese.I asked if Bill will buy cheese. *I asked (if) will Bill buy cheese.*I asked (if) will Bill buy cheese.

I to CI to C

In English, anything that would be in In English, anything that would be in I moves to C. So, modals and I moves to C. So, modals and auxiliaries all “invert” around the auxiliaries all “invert” around the subject:subject: WillWill Bill buy cheese? Bill buy cheese? IsIs Bill buying cheese? Bill buying cheese? HasHas Bill bought cheese? Bill bought cheese?

But main verbs never raise to I in But main verbs never raise to I in English. Consider then:English. Consider then: DidDid Bill buy cheese? Bill buy cheese?

I to CI to C DidDid Bill buy cheese? Bill buy cheese?

Why is there a Why is there a dodo there? Before, we only there? Before, we only saw saw dodo in sentences with in sentences with notnot, inserted , inserted because the tense affix couldn’t “reach” the because the tense affix couldn’t “reach” the verb, blocked by verb, blocked by notnot..

What seems to be the case is that if I moves What seems to be the case is that if I moves to C (that is, the past tense suffix to C (that is, the past tense suffix -ed -ed in this in this case), it also gets too far away from the case), it also gets too far away from the verb (now verb (now BillBill is between the suffix and the is between the suffix and the verb), and verb), and DoDo-insertion is required.-insertion is required.

week 8a. adjunction and head-movement cas lx 522 syntax i

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