| Author(s): |
Hornstein, Norbert
;
Nunes, Jairo
Total Authors: 2
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | BIOLINGUISTICS; v. 2, n. 1, p. 30-pg., 2008-12-01. |
| Abstract | |
This article argues for a version of bare phrase structure which maintains that - contrary to the standard view on phrase structure - adjunction structures are simpler than structures involving complements and specifiers. Assuming with Hornstein (forthcoming) that the operation Merge is to be decomposed into two basic operations, namely, Concatenate and Label, the article shows that whereas the building of complements and specifiers requires that the output of a Concatenate operation be labeled, adjuncts may only require concatenation to receive a proper interpretation at the interface. It is argued that taking adjunction structures to be label-less concatenates not only complies with Chomsky's (1995) Inclusiveness Condition, but also makes it possible to account in a principled manner for the dual behavior of adjuncts, which sometimes behave as integral parts of the target of adjunction and some other times behave as completely independent elements. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 06/00965-2 - Generative syntax of Brazilian Portuguese at the dawn of the 21st Century: minimalism and interfaces |
| Grantee: | Jairo Morais Nunes |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |