This study provides a novel look at do so replacement within the framework of the Bare Phrase Structure theory. Unlike the previous view of do so as a monolithic VP anaphor, I argue that do so is better analyzed as do and so, separately substituting for a functional Voice head and VP, respectively. This argument is supported by the observation of VP adverbs, the locative/directional interpretation of PPs, and the analysis of voice mismatch. The study consequently presents a more refined model of VP than the previous X-bar theoretic model, as it fulfills the structural requirement between complements and adjuncts.
This paper seeks to analyze the internal structure of "kull" structures and hence the asymmetries that arise in the context of such structures in Modern Standard Arabic. It is argued that "kull"-initial and "kull"-final are derivationally unrelated. Drawing on a number of structural asymmetries, the quantifier is argued to project into a quantifier phrase which is merged inside a determiner phrase. The difference between quantifier-initial and quantifier-final structures relates to the position where the quantifier phrase is merged. In quantifier-initial structures, the quantifier phrase is argued to be merged as the complement of the determiner while in quantifier-final structures, the quantifier phrase is argued to be adjoined to DP. Within this context, syntactic as well as semantic conse-quences result from the initial merge of the quantifier phrase.
There are two major theories about the origin of human syntax: evolutionary and catastrophic, the latter appears more probable on theoretical and empirical grounds, the most serious reason being the problem with imagining the intermediate stages between protosyntax and full-blown syntax (Bickerton 1998). The “missing link” is recently often associated with recursion, a sole element of human syntax considered specifically human and specifically linguistic. Some accounts associate this trigger with a subpart of recursion, either operation Merge or a subpart of Merge, operation Label (Hornstein 2009) which by breaking the initial symmetry provides a sine qua non condition for asymmetric syntax in terms of endocentricity, phrase structure and, consequently, recursive embedding. My hypothesis is that assuming the catastrophic scenario, more than one catastrophic event must have happened in a very short time. Given that human vocal tract and human phonetics and phonology have several unique features compared with Great Apes (hierarchical but non-recursive structure, speech imitation skills, abundant use of formants, lack of laryngeal air sacks in the vocal tract) and given that the phonological form constitutes the interface of the human syntax, the mere addition of Label to the already existing operations of the protolanguage is insufficient, since (1) it does not account for the emergence of the phonologically interfaced syntax, (2) it fails to explain the indisociability of non-syntactic elements of language in terms of phonology, semantics and syntax as evidenced in Jackendoff (2011). Consequently, I assume that human language emerged as a result of at least two catastrophic processes: catastrophic emergence of phonetics and catastrophic emergence of syntax accompanied by the rapid expansion of the lexicon, the latter possibly as a result of a quantitative rather than qualitative development. The emergence of human phonology might have occurred gradually, but as a result of the catastrophic emergence of phonetics.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.