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Syntax Presentation 4-Xbar

Syntax

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8 views

Syntax Presentation 4-Xbar

Syntax

Uploaded by

memskhawla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Extending X-bar Theory

CP, DP, and TP


• DP: Determiner Phrase
• It replaces NP X-bar theory. D heads its own
phrase.
• CP: Complementizer Phrase
• It replaces the S´ rule.
• TP: Tense Phrase.
• It replaces the S rule in x-bar theory.
Determiner Phrases DPs
• Determiners are put in the specifiers of NPs.
This, however, violates one of the basic
principles underlying x-bar theory:
• All non-head material must be phrasal.
• One thing to note about determiners is that
they are heads. There can only be one of them
in an NP.
• E.g. the that book. x
DPs
• Determiners, according to x-bar analysis, are not parts
of the NP. Instead, NP is the complement to the
determiner head.
• An evidence for this is the behavior of the construct
or ’s-genitive .
• The ’s marker appears after the full possessor NP. E.g.,
it is attached to the whole phrase the man standing
over there not just the head man .
• This means that ’s is not a suffix. Instead, it seems to
be a small word indicating possession.
DPs
• Note that ’s is in complementary distribution
with (cannot occur with) determiners as in:
• The building's the roof. x
• The roof of the building. √
• In linguistics, when two items are in
complementary distribution, they are instances
of the same thing.
• ’s and determiners like the are different tokens
of the same type.
DPs
• Assuming that ’s is a determiner, and assuming
that the DP hypothesis holds true, the ‘s
occupies the D head position, and the
possessor operates in its specifier.
TPs and CPs
• There are two types of clauses; a clause that
stands on its own is called a root, matrix or
main clause, and a clause placed within
another clause which are embedded or
subordinate clauses.
• Embedded clauses can be specifiers,
complements or adjuncts.
CPs
• 1) Complement Clauses:
• These clauses are sisters to the verb, and thus
they are complements to verbs.
• E.g
• Heidi said that Art loves peanut butter.
• Colin asked if they could get a mortgage.
CPs
• 2) Adjunct Clauses:
• Relative clauses are examples of adjunct
clauses.
• E.g. [The man [I saw get into the cab]robbed
the bank]
• In the previous sentence, the relative clause
modifies the head man.
CPs
• 3) Specifier Clauses
• These are clauses which serve as the subject
of the sentence.
• E.g
• [People selling their stocks] causes the crash
of 1929.
Finite and Non-finite clauses
Finite Clauses Non-finite Clauses
Clauses with predicates that are tensed Clauses without a tensed verb are called
are called tensed or finite clauses. tenseless or non-finite clauses.
e.g. I said [that Mary signed my e.g. I want [Mary to sign my yearbook].
yearbook].
Finite clauses allow tense morphology. Non-finite verbs do not allow this
e.g. agreement and tense morphology on the
I know you ate apples. verb.
I know he eats apples. e.g. I have never seen Mary ate apples. X
I have never seen him eats apples. X
If the clause is finite, then the subject will If the clause is non-finite then the subject
take the nominative case form. will take the accusative form.
e.g. I know he eats apples. e.g. I have never seen him eat apples.
If the subject is obligatory, then the clause If the subject is optional or not allowed at
is finite. all, then it is non-finite.
e.g. I think that he eats apples. e.g. I want (him) to eat apples.
The complementizers that and if are only The complementizer for is only found with
found with tensed clauses. non-finite clauses.
e.g. I wonder if he eats apples. e.g. I asked for him to eat apples.
I think that he eats apples. [For him to eat apples]is a travesty.
S´ vs CP
• S´ (C) S
• S  NP (T) VP
• S´ is replaced with a complementizer phrase CP.
. Complementizer phrases have C (complementizer) as their head, S
as their complement and an empty specifier position.
Only embedded clauses have CPs, since only embedded clauses
appear to allow complementizers.
However, based on evidence found in other languages, it is
hypothesized that English has a null complementizer in root
clauses represented by the symbol Ø.
In addition to null complementizer, English does have an overt
complementizer, but it is only found in embedded clauses.
S vs TP
• S NP (T)VP
• In order to make this rule fix the x-bar theory, we
will have to determine which element is the head of
the sentence.
• In the above rule, the only element which is not a
phrase is T.
• The rules say that all non-head material must be
phrasal.
• Then, T seems to be a likely category for the head of
the sentence.
T
• T is equated with auxiliary verbs.
• In clauses where there is no auxiliary, we
consider tense inflection on a verb as the T.
• Tense inflection on a verb is in complementary
distribution with auxiliary verbs.
• Then, they are instances of the same category.
• This means that T is both auxiliaries and
inflectional endings on verbs.
To sum up
• Using X-BAR Theory:
• Determiner phrase (DP) replaces NP. D heads
its own phrase.
• Complementizer Phrase (CP) replaces S´.
• Tense phrase (TP) replaces S rule.

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