LINGUIST List 25.2434
Wed
Jun 04 2014
Diss: Linguistic
Theories: Yahya: 'An Integrated Approach to the
Syntax-Phonology Interface...'
Editor for this issue:
Danuta Allen <danutalinguistlist.org>
Date: 02-Jun-2014
From: yusra yahya
<yusrayahya2014
gmail.com>
Subject: An Integrated
Approach to the Syntax-Phonology Interface: A
Cross-Linguistic Study
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Institution: English and Foreign Languages
University, Hyderabad
Program: Center for Linguistics and
Contemporary English
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2013
Author: Yusra Mohammed Yahya
Dissertation Title: An Integrated Approach to
the Syntax-Phonology Interface: A
Cross-Linguistic Study
Linguistic Field(s): Linguistic Theories
Dissertation Director:
K. A. Jayaseelan
Hemalatha Nagarajan
Dissertation Abstract:
This dissertation attempts to achieve two main
goals. The first is to explore, within the
context of Chomsky’s Phase Theory and multiple
spellout (MSO) approach, a more general
interface account integrating cross-linguistic
variations regarding the ways in which
syntactic structures can be defined (mapped)
onto phonological form at the major
phonological phrase level. The second aim is to
translate (most of) these ways into a new
(spellout-based) OT grammar. One new thesis I
propose in this dissertation is that a phase
head, mainly v*, belongs to its domain for
spellout purposes contra Chomsky (2000, 2001
and subsequent work). However, whether the
phase head undergoes interpretation along with
its complement or not is something that depends
on the spell out instruction that this phase
head itself may instantiate. Moreover, this
work proposes an extension on Hale and Selkirk
(1987) and Truckenbrodt (1995). Within the
framework of Truckenbrodt (1995), my extension
can be read as the following: just as Wrap-XP
is defined in relation to VP as a lexical
maximal projection, another form of Wrap call
it Wrap-XP’ applies to IP as a functional
maximal projection. This extension falls as a
natural result once we assume the new theory of
phases and MSO. Wrap can now apply to VP and
IP, which are nothing but the complements of
the phase heads v *and C respectively. This
extension helps us to account for the larger
(major) phonological phrase domains observed in
languages as Xhosa (Zerbian, 2004). Moreover,
if this extension is on the right track, then
we perhaps have now the answer to handle the
question why is it that many linguists tend to
assume that only CP is a phase (in some
language)? How this extension is derivationally
implemented is a simple issue that builds on
the role of phase heads though this time as
transfer hinders, rather than transfer
initiators. I, accordingly, propose that a
phase head C with a strong wrapping spellout
instruction can, in the case where PIC2 is the
relevant, result in hindering, rather than
initiating, spellout on a lower v* phase with
the consequence that we have only one instance
of spellout applying to the domain of C.
- Elements liable to wrapping effects:
i. VP
ii. IP (my proposal)
In this work, I also define, develop and defend
a new spellout mechanism. This mechanism builds
on the role of phase heads as both the loci of
spellout features and the transfer triggers via
either Phase Impenetrability Condition 1 (PIC1)
and/or Phase Impenetrability Condition 2
(PIC2). The assumption here is that phase
heads, mainly v*, can regulate the spellout
process by deciding both the kind of spellout
applying and the timing of spellout.
i.Phase heads as the loci of parametric
variations: The type of spellout applying
ii.Phase heads as spellout triggers: The timing
of spellout relevant
Moreover, it is proposed in this work that some
forms of XP movement are not motivated by an
EPP feature of a strong phase head mainly v*,
but they are rather motivated by a last resort
strategy to accomplish the spellout instruction
of this phase head. Last, but not least, a new
spellout-based OT grammar is defined by
translating the newly assumed spellout
functions into spellout constraints.
Page Updated: 04-Jun-2014