Clause Structure (Key Topics in Syntax)

Clause structure is the most widely-studied phenomenon within syntactic theory, because it refers to how words and phrases are embedded within a sentence, their relationships to each other within a sentence, and ultimately, how sentences are layered and represented in the human brain. This volume presents a clear and up-to-date overview of the Minimalist Program, synthesizes the most important research findings, and explores the major shifts in generative syntax. As an accessible topic book, it includes chapters on framework, the clause in general, and the semantic, grammatical and pragmatic layers. Designed for graduate students and researchers interested in syntactic theory, this book includes a range of examples taken from data acquisition, typology and language change, alongside discussion questions, helpful suggestions for further reading and a useful glossary. Cover 1 Contents 7 Figures 9 Tables 10 Preface 11 Abbreviations 14 1 Introduction 17 1.1 Generative Grammar and Universal Grammar 17 1.1.1 Universal grammar 18 1.1.2 Phrase Structure and transformations 19 1.1.3 Principles and Parameters 21 1.2 From phrase structure to Minimalist features 23 1.2.1 Phrase Structure and X-bar 24 1.2.2 Features and AGREE 30 1.2.3 Derivations through Merge 33 1.3 Merge and Cartography: features and categories 38 1.4 The Linear Correspondence Axiom and phases 42 1.4.1 Linear or hierarchical order 42 1.4.2 Phases 45 1.5 Feature parameters 47 1.6 Conclusion 52 Discussion points 53 Suggestions for further reading 54 2 The clause: a description 55 2.1 The main clause 55 2.1.1 Mood 55 2.1.2 Finiteness: tense, agreement, and case 56 2.1.3 CPs and TPs 58 2.2 Functions and roles 59 2.2.1 Roles and functions 59 2.2.2 Subordinate and coordinate clause functions 62 2.3 The types of subordinate clause 64 2.3.1 C(omplementizers) 64 2.3.2 The object clause 65 2.3.3 Adverbial clauses 72 2.3.4 Other clauses 73 2.4 The three layers 81 2.5 Cross-linguistic observations 84 2.5.1 The main clause 85 2.5.2 The embedded clause 87 2.6 Conclusion 88 Discussion points 89 Suggestions for further reading 90 3 The VP-Layer 91 3.1 Argument structure 91 3.1.1 Valency and voice 92 3.1.2 Theta-roles 93 3.1.3 The vP 98 3.2 Unaccusative and unergative verbs 102 3.3 The causative 108 3.4 Ditransitives 110 3.4.1 The ditransitive alternation 111 3.4.2 Larson’s tree and Baker’s changes to it 112 3.4.3 Different structures 114 3.5 Aspect, definiteness, and adverbials 116 3.5.1 Lexical aspect 116 3.5.2 Aspect, definiteness, Goal: coercion 117 3.5.3 Adding VP adverbs 120 3.6 Cross-linguistic observations and acquisition 122 3.6.1 Basic valency 123 3.6.2 Causatives and ditransitives 124 3.6.3 Aspect and definiteness 126 3.7 Conclusion and a tie to features 127 Discussion points 128 Suggestions for further reading 129 4 The TP-Layer 131 4.1 Expanding TP 131 4.2 Cartography of the TP 137 4.3 Displacement in the TP 144 4.3.1 More on the subject 145 4.3.2 The EPP and movement of the DP 146 4.3.3 Verb movement 150 4.4 Case and agreement 152 4.4.1 Case 152 4.4.2 Agreement 154 4.5 Cross-linguistic observations 157 4.5.1 TMA auxiliaries and adverbials 157 4.5.2 Subject and object and agreement and case 158 4.5.3 Movement in the TP by the DP, V, and VP 162 4.6 Conclusion 163 Discussion points 165 Suggestions for further reading 165 5 The CP-Layer 166 5.1 The expanded CP 166 5.2 The features, position, and transparency of complementizers 170 5.2.1 Complementizer features 171 5.2.2 Complementizer positions 176 5.2.3 Transparent clauses and defective T 179 5.3 Mood and CP adverbs 182 5.3.1 Mood 182 5.3.2 Adverbials 187 5.4 Topic and focus 188 5.4.1 Topic and focus 189 5.4.2 Labels for topic and focus 190 5.4.3 Topic and focus in the main vs. the embedded clause 194 5.5 Cross-linguistic observations 196 5.5.1 Complementizers 196 5.5.2 V to C movement and wh-movement 198 5.3 Imperatives and the expansion of layers 200 5.5.4 Topics 200 5.6 Conclusion 202 Discussion points 203 Suggestions for further reading 204 6 Connecting the layers 205 6.1 Keeping the CP, TP, and VP together 205 6.2 Mood throughout the clause 206 6.3 AS P, v, AND V 209 6.4 Negation 211 6.5 Topic and Focus 215 6.6 Conclusion 217 Discussion points 218 Suggestions for further reading 218 7 Conclusion: description, explanation, and “beyond” 219 7.1 Functions of the layers 219 7.2 Major issues in each layer 221 7.3 Third factor effects and Universal Grammar 222 7.4 Conclusion 222 Glossary 223 References 234 Index 249 Clause Structure Is The Most Widely-studied Phenomenon Within Syntactic Theory. This Accessible Book Synthesizes The Most Important Research Findings, Examines A Range Of Examples Taken From Data Acquisition, Typology And Language Change, And Includes Discussion Questions, Helpful Suggestions For Further Reading And A Useful Glossary.