On the Left Edge in UG

Richard S. Kayne

doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195179163.003.0002

On the Left Edge in UG

Richard S. Kayne

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

This chapter explores the debate concerning leftward versus rightward movements in the context of a proposal by James McCloskey concerning Irish. It is argued that, by bringing in considerations from Amharic and from certain English focus constructions, McCloskey's Irish data are compatible with a theory of universal grammar (UG) in which no rightward movement of any kind is countenanced. McCloskey suggested that the UG theory should countenance a class of rightward movements applying in the derivation of phonological form (PF) representations. As he notes, this might be compatible with the antisymmetry proposal by Kayne if that proposal were taken to hold only for "narrow" syntax. Whether McCloskey's suggestion would lead to a minor or to a major decrease in the restrictiveness of the characterization of UG is not easy to say.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Movement and Silence
Publisher	Oxford University Press
ISBN (Electronic)	9780199788330
ISBN (Print)	9780195179163
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195179163.003.0002
State	Published - Sep 1 2007

Keywords

Irish language
James McCloskey
Leftward movements
Phonological form
Rightward movements
Sentences
Universal grammar

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Arts and Humanities

Access to Document

10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195179163.003.0002

Cite this

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AB - This chapter explores the debate concerning leftward versus rightward movements in the context of a proposal by James McCloskey concerning Irish. It is argued that, by bringing in considerations from Amharic and from certain English focus constructions, McCloskey's Irish data are compatible with a theory of universal grammar (UG) in which no rightward movement of any kind is countenanced. McCloskey suggested that the UG theory should countenance a class of rightward movements applying in the derivation of phonological form (PF) representations. As he notes, this might be compatible with the antisymmetry proposal by Kayne if that proposal were taken to hold only for "narrow" syntax. Whether McCloskey's suggestion would lead to a minor or to a major decrease in the restrictiveness of the characterization of UG is not easy to say.

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KW - Sentences

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On the Left Edge in UG

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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