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Feature‐Splitting Internal Merge: Improper Movement, Intervention, and the A/A′ Distinction
Author(s) -
Obata Miki,
Epstein Samuel David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
syntax
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 1467-9612
pISSN - 1368-0005
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9612.2010.00149.x
Subject(s) - merge (version control) , mathematics , minimalist program , linguistics , uniqueness , parameterized complexity , computer science , pure mathematics , calculus (dental) , generative grammar , artificial intelligence , algorithm , mathematical analysis , philosophy , medicine , dentistry , information retrieval
. A central goal of this paper is to present a new account of improper‐movement phenomena based on Chomsky’s (2007, 2008) phase‐based derivational approach. We claim that improper movement is excluded by virtue of Agree failure between a moving element and a finite T as a consequence of “feature‐splitting” Internal Merge, which we argue is the most (or at least a very) natural implementation of Chomsky’s φ‐feature‐inheritance system and Richards’s (2007) value–transfer‐simultaneity analysis. This analysis has a number of empirical and theoretical consequences: (i) regarding the explanation of A′‐opacity/‐transparency intervention effects (Rezac 2003, Carstens 2005); (ii) the possible elimination, or reduction in scope, of the Activity Condition; and (iii) the possible characterization of A/A′‐position types solely in terms of categorial features. Moreover, we propose that (iv) the ban on improper movement is, in fact, not universal but is morphologically parameterized (at least) between English and the Bantu language Kilega.