Encounter 8b. The DPEncounter 8b. The DP7.1-7.27.1-7.2

CAS LX 522CAS LX 522Syntax ISyntax I

Determiners vs. Determiners vs. adjectivesadjectives

There are a number There are a number of things that can of things that can come before nouns come before nouns in a noun phrase:in a noun phrase: fluffy bunnyfluffy bunny that bunnythat bunny the bunnythe bunny a bunnya bunny every bunnyevery bunny big fluffy bunnybig fluffy bunny that fluffy bunnythat fluffy bunny the fluffy bunnythe fluffy bunny a fluffy bunnya fluffy bunny every fluffy bunny.every fluffy bunny.

*fluffy the bunny*fluffy the bunny *that the bunny*that the bunny *a the bunny*a the bunny *every the bunny*every the bunny *fluffy every bunny*fluffy every bunny *a every bunny*a every bunny *the every bunny*the every bunny *that every bunny*that every bunny

There seem to be There seem to be two classes, things two classes, things like like fluffyfluffy that that can iterate, and can iterate, and things like things like thethe that must be first that must be first and must be unique.and must be unique.

DeterminersDeterminers The class that includes The class that includes thethe, , everyevery, , thatthat, and so forth are called the , and so forth are called the determinersdeterminers. They come in several . They come in several subtypes, but they form a category, subtypes, but they form a category, which we designate with the which we designate with the category category feature [D]feature [D].. Cf. the [V] feature of verbs, the [T] Cf. the [V] feature of verbs, the [T] feature of T.feature of T.

There can be only one D in a noun There can be only one D in a noun phrase, and it must come first.phrase, and it must come first.

Adjectives come after D and before N, Adjectives come after D and before N, and can iterate.and can iterate.

Adjective iterationAdjective iteration We’ve seen the iteration property elsewhere We’ve seen the iteration property elsewhere (PP adjuncts, for example):(PP adjuncts, for example): Pat ate lunch on the hill by the tree in the rain.Pat ate lunch on the hill by the tree in the rain.

Or adverbs (Or adverbs (vvP adjuncts):P adjuncts): Pat deliberately completely ate the sandwich.Pat deliberately completely ate the sandwich.

So, it makes sense to suppose that adjectives So, it makes sense to suppose that adjectives are also adjuncts. But to what?are also adjuncts. But to what? The big fluffy bunny.The big fluffy bunny.

Notice that if Notice that if bigbig and and fluffyfluffy are adjoined to are adjoined to NP, it suggests that NP, it suggests that thethe must also be, if the must also be, if the whole thing is an NP. whole thing is an NP. But then why can there But then why can there be only one, and why does it have to be be only one, and why does it have to be first?first?

D vs. ND vs. N Also, notice that D doesn’t stand alone.Also, notice that D doesn’t stand alone.

TheThe feels incomplete. It needs a noun.feels incomplete. It needs a noun. StudentStudent does not feel similarly incomplete.does not feel similarly incomplete.

Like (the prepositions) Like (the prepositions) toto, , besidebeside,, or or withwith feel incomplete, they also need feel incomplete, they also need something.something.

Or (the verbs) Or (the verbs) sinksink, , kickkick, , dancedance.. All of these are sort of “completed” by All of these are sort of “completed” by nouns. For P and V, we understand how: nouns. For P and V, we understand how: They select for a noun as their They select for a noun as their complement.complement.

So, maybe D is something like a P, So, maybe D is something like a P, selecting for a noun phrase complement…selecting for a noun phrase complement…

The students The students is a DPis a DP This would mean that This would mean that the studentsthe students is not an NP, is not an NP, but rather a but rather a DPDP.. It’s head-initial, like English is everywhere else.It’s head-initial, like English is everywhere else. D selects for N ([D selects for N ([uuN*N*]), accounting for]), accounting for

the inability to “stand alone”the inability to “stand alone” the inability to have more than one (it selects for N, not D)the inability to have more than one (it selects for N, not D) the fact that it must come before adjectives (adjoined to NP)the fact that it must come before adjectives (adjoined to NP)

Because it is D that forces the Merge, it is D that Because it is D that forces the Merge, it is D that projects.projects.

The NP can be modified by (iterating) adjectives:The NP can be modified by (iterating) adjectives:big fluffy pink bunnybig fluffy pink bunny..

studentsD

DP

theNP

The students arrivedThe students arrived Ah, but there’s a problem.Ah, but there’s a problem. Why isWhy is The students arrivedThe students arrived grammatical?grammatical?

ArriveArrive is unaccusative, which we’ve is unaccusative, which we’ve formalized as a V with a single [formalized as a V with a single [uuN*N*] feature ] feature and associated with a special “inert” and associated with a special “inert” vv..

T also has a strong [T also has a strong [uuN*N*] feature (the EPP ] feature (the EPP feature), bringing the subject to SpecTP.feature), bringing the subject to SpecTP.

How can either of those be satisfied?How can either of those be satisfied? If we suppose If we suppose arrivearrive has a [ has a [uuD*D*] feature ] feature instead, why isn’t it instead, why isn’t it **Students arrived theStudents arrived the??

Are there two different versions of Are there two different versions of arrivearrive, , one for one for the students arrivedthe students arrived, and one for , and one for students arrivedstudents arrived??

A radical proposal?A radical proposal? We can bring a degree of order to this We can bring a degree of order to this chaos if we shift our thinking about “noun chaos if we shift our thinking about “noun phrases”:phrases”:Those things we called “noun phrases” Those things we called “noun phrases” before were always actually DPs.before were always actually DPs. So, T So, T doesn’tdoesn’t have a [ have a [uuN*N*] feature—] feature—rather, it has a [rather, it has a [uuD*D*] feature.] feature.

Prepositions Prepositions don’t don’t have a [have a [uuN*N*] feature,] feature,they have a [they have a [uuD*D*] feature.] feature.

No “version” of No “version” of arrivearrive has a [ has a [uuN*N*] feature,] feature,it’s just the one it’s just the one arrivearrive, but it has a [, but it has a [uuD*D*] ] feature.feature.

The basic form of a “noun phrase” is not The basic form of a “noun phrase” is not studentsstudents, but rather , but rather a studenta student, , the the studentsstudents. A determiner phrase.. A determiner phrase.

Students arrivedStudents arrived Taking that step, we have (the specter Taking that step, we have (the specter at least) of the opposite problem:at least) of the opposite problem:If If arrivearrive has a [ has a [uuD*D*] feature and T has ] feature and T has a [a [uuD*D*] feature, how come ] feature, how come Students Students arrivedarrived is grammatical? How are those is grammatical? How are those features checked?features checked?

Stand firm, brave syntacticians.Stand firm, brave syntacticians. We grit our teeth, and conclude what we We grit our teeth, and conclude what we must: must: StudentsStudents in in Students arrivedStudents arrived is is in fact a DP. It has a determiner, in fact a DP. It has a determiner, which heads the DP. That determiner which heads the DP. That determiner just happens to be just happens to be silentsilent..

[[DPDP ØØ students ] arrived students ] arrived

The silent D (The silent D (null determinernull determiner) “shows up” ) “shows up” with certain kinds of nouns, most notably with certain kinds of nouns, most notably the the bare pluralsbare plurals ((Ø booksØ books, , ØØ studentsstudents) or ) or mass nounsmass nouns ((Ø lunchØ lunch) that we’ve mostly been ) that we’ve mostly been using up until now.using up until now.

There are no “bare singulars” in English: There are no “bare singulars” in English: you can’t use you can’t use Ø bookØ book or or Ø studentØ student (as in (as in **Ø Ø student arrivedstudent arrived). The null determiner seems ). The null determiner seems to be incompatible with singular nouns— it to be incompatible with singular nouns— it shows a kind of shows a kind of number agreementnumber agreement. The . The related singular form would use the related singular form would use the indefinite articleindefinite article aa: : A student arrivedA student arrived..

There is still an NPThere is still an NP What we’re doing now suggests that all What we’re doing now suggests that all of those places in previous trees where of those places in previous trees where we wrote “NP”, we should have written we wrote “NP”, we should have written “DP” instead.“DP” instead.

But there still is a category N, and But there still is a category N, and there still are phrasal NPs, of course. there still are phrasal NPs, of course. We just find them in the complement of We just find them in the complement of D, not on their own.D, not on their own.

That is, “N comes with D.”That is, “N comes with D.” Hierarchy of ProjectionsHierarchy of Projections (relevant to (relevant to nouns):nouns):D > ND > N

Those were DPsThose were DPs What we’re doing now suggests that What we’re doing now suggests that all of those places in previous trees all of those places in previous trees where we wrote “NP”, we should have where we wrote “NP”, we should have written “DP” instead.written “DP” instead.

Just to be clear on that point: When Just to be clear on that point: When you draw structures for the very same you draw structures for the very same sentences that we drew structures for sentences that we drew structures for in the past, those structures should in the past, those structures should now contain DPs, not just NPs. Keep now contain DPs, not just NPs. Keep that in mind as you review past that in mind as you review past handouts.handouts.

OneOne-replacement-replacement This book or that oneThis book or that one This book or the one about catsThis book or the one about cats

It appears that in English, the word It appears that in English, the word oneone can replace something smaller than the DP can replace something smaller than the DP (hence evidence for the DP having an NP (hence evidence for the DP having an NP inside it.)inside it.)

The big green book of poetry on the shelfThe big green book of poetry on the shelf This one on my deskThis one on my desk This small one on my deskThis small one on my desk This small red one on my deskThis small red one on my desk *This small red one of riddles on my desk*This small red one of riddles on my desk

OneOne-replacement-replacement The book of poetry on my desk in the corner under The book of poetry on my desk in the corner under the coffeethe coffee

The book of poetry in the corner on my desk under The book of poetry in the corner on my desk under the coffeethe coffee

The book of poetry under the coffee in the corner The book of poetry under the coffee in the corner on my deskon my desk

*The book under the coffee of poetry in the *The book under the coffee of poetry in the corner on my deskcorner on my desk

Any number of PPs can appear here, in any Any number of PPs can appear here, in any order, except order, except of poetryof poetry seems to need to be seems to need to be first.first.

OneOne-replacement-replacement This book of poetry on my deskThis book of poetry on my desk *This book on my desk of poetry.*This book on my desk of poetry. *This book of poetry of riddles.*This book of poetry of riddles. That one on the floor.That one on the floor. *That one of riddles on the floor.*That one of riddles on the floor. This book on my desk by the coffee.This book on my desk by the coffee. This book by the coffee on my desk.This book by the coffee on my desk. That one by the pencils.That one by the pencils.

What’s the pattern? Whence the pattern?What’s the pattern? Whence the pattern? Of the PP’s, one kind (Of the PP’s, one kind (of poetryof poetry) seems to have ) seems to have to come first.to come first.

There cannot be more than one of the There cannot be more than one of the of poetryof poetry type PPs.type PPs.

OneOne seems to replace N and any number of PPs— but seems to replace N and any number of PPs— but mustmust replace the replace the of poetryof poetry type PP if it is type PP if it is there.there.

PP adjunctsPP adjuncts The fact that we can have any number of PPs and The fact that we can have any number of PPs and they can come in any order (momentarily ignoring they can come in any order (momentarily ignoring of poetryof poetry type PPs), suggest that they are type PPs), suggest that they are adjuncts. Just like with adjuncts. Just like with vvP. So what does P. So what does oneone stand in for?stand in for?

DP

NPbook

Dthe

NP

PPwith the red

cover

NP

PPon the desk

PP adjunctsPP adjuncts What kind of explanation can we offer for What kind of explanation can we offer for the facts about the facts about of poetryof poetry type PPs that… type PPs that… Must be closer to the noun than the other PPs, Must be closer to the noun than the other PPs, andand

Of which there can be only one, andOf which there can be only one, and Get replaced by Get replaced by oneone??

DP

NPbook

Dthe

NP

PPwith the red

cover

NP

PPon the desk

Differentiating poetryDifferentiating poetryfrom pencilsfrom pencils

It’s somewhat tricky to pin down a good It’s somewhat tricky to pin down a good diagnostic for which kinds of PP count diagnostic for which kinds of PP count as as of poetryof poetry type PPs and which count as type PPs and which count as by the pencilsby the pencils type PPs. type PPs.

Of poetryOf poetry PPs generally start with PPs generally start with ofof.. The book of great importance by the pencils.The book of great importance by the pencils. The book by the pencils of great importance.The book by the pencils of great importance.

Of poetryOf poetry PPs generally describe a PPs generally describe a fairly intrinsic property of the N.fairly intrinsic property of the N. The student of physics in the hall.The student of physics in the hall. The student in the hall of physics.The student in the hall of physics.

Of poetryOf poetry PPs aren’t PPs aren’t obligatoryobligatory

NPs don’t necessarily have an NPs don’t necessarily have an of poetryof poetry type PP, but they can.type PP, but they can. The book of poetry on the table.The book of poetry on the table. The book on the table.The book on the table.

We’ll analyze this essentially like We’ll analyze this essentially like Adger analyzed Adger analyzed letters to Peterletters to Peter on p. on p. 109 (though we may revise this slightly 109 (though we may revise this slightly next week). An N has the option of next week). An N has the option of having a [having a [uuP*P*] feature, and if it does, ] feature, and if it does, the PP that satisfies it must have this the PP that satisfies it must have this “intrinsic property” characteristic “intrinsic property” characteristic (and will generally be an (and will generally be an ofof-PP-PP).).

UTAHUTAH Adger does treat this as such (actually, he Adger does treat this as such (actually, he doesn’t treat this at all), but we can doesn’t treat this at all), but we can understand the restriction to “intrinsic understand the restriction to “intrinsic properties” in somewhat the same way we properties” in somewhat the same way we treat the oddity of these:treat the oddity of these: #The room learned Chinese.#The room learned Chinese. #I sent Chicago letters.#I sent Chicago letters.

Here, there’s something about being an Here, there’s something about being an Agent or a possessor that requires Agent or a possessor that requires cognitive capacity. There’s an intrinsic cognitive capacity. There’s an intrinsic property of the role assigned.property of the role assigned.

If If intrinsic propertyintrinsic property can be thought of as can be thought of as a a -role, N can optionally assign this -role, N can optionally assign this role.role. PP sister of N: PropertyPP sister of N: Property

SoSo

So So book of poetry with the red book of poetry with the red covercover would look something like would look something like this. this. OneOne can replace any NP.can replace any NP.

DP

Nbook

[N, uP*]

Dthe

NP

PPwith the red

cover

NP

PPof poetry

PronounsPronouns

We said that bare plurals like We said that bare plurals like studentsstudents in in Students arrivedStudents arrived are really DPs, and have are really DPs, and have a null determiner.a null determiner. [[DPDP Ø students ] arrived. Ø students ] arrived.

How about pronouns, like How about pronouns, like wewe in in We arrivedWe arrived?? Although you can say Although you can say The students arrivedThe students arrived, you , you can’t say can’t say **The we arrivedThe we arrived..

You can say things like You can say things like We linguists should We linguists should stick togetherstick together. Or . Or You syntacticians are a crazy You syntacticians are a crazy lotlot. That is, a pronoun followed by a noun.. That is, a pronoun followed by a noun.

This seems only to work with This seems only to work with wewe and and youyou..

PronounsPronouns We linguistsWe linguists looks rather like looks rather like The The linguistslinguists..

WeWe looks rather like a D. looks rather like a D.

Also noteworthy:Also noteworthy: The media always disparages us linguists.The media always disparages us linguists.

Pronouns reflect case distinctions.Pronouns reflect case distinctions. If pronouns are just Ds, thenIf pronouns are just Ds, thencase must be a property of D.case must be a property of D.

Case is actually a property of D (not of Case is actually a property of D (not of N).N).

PossessorsPossessors Consider the genitive (possessive) Consider the genitive (possessive) ’s’s in in English:English: John’s hatJohn’s hat The student’s sandwichThe student’s sandwich The man from Australia’s bookThe man from Australia’s book The man on the hill by the tree’s binocularsThe man on the hill by the tree’s binoculars

The possessor can be a full DP (inside another The possessor can be a full DP (inside another DP).DP).

The The ’s’s attaches to the attaches to the whole possessor whole possessor phrase.phrase. (it’s the man’s book and binoculars, not (it’s the man’s book and binoculars, not Australia’s or the tree’s, after all).Australia’s or the tree’s, after all).

This is not a noun suffix. It seems more like This is not a noun suffix. It seems more like a a little wordlittle word that signals possession, that signals possession, standing between the possessor and the standing between the possessor and the possessee. possessee. (it’s a (it’s a cliticclitic).).

PossessorsPossessors It seems to be impossible to have both It seems to be impossible to have both a a ’s’s and a determiner. and a determiner. *The building’s the roof*The building’s the roof

Cf. Cf. The roof of the buildingThe roof of the building *The hurricane’s the eye*The hurricane’s the eye

Determiners like Determiners like thethe and the and the possession marker possession marker ’s’s seem to be in seem to be in complementary distributioncomplementary distribution—if one —if one appears, the other cannot.appears, the other cannot.

Compare:Compare: The big fluffy pink rabbitThe big fluffy pink rabbit *The that *The that rabbitrabbit

*The my rabbit*The my rabbit *Every my rabbit*Every my rabbit

Possessors?Possessors? This suggests a structure like This suggests a structure like this for possession phrases:this for possession phrases:

The possessor DP is in the The possessor DP is in the specifier of DPspecifier of DP. . And of And of course, this can be as complex course, this can be as complex a DP as we like, e.g., a DP as we like, e.g., the the very hungry student of very hungry student of linguistics by the tree with linguistics by the tree with the purple flowers over therethe purple flowers over there…… …’…’s books book

The possessed NP is the The possessed NP is the complement of D.complement of D.

D’s

D

DP

NPbook

DP

Dthe

NPstudent

Possessors and the null Possessors and the null DD But what then to do about But what then to do about

DPs like DPs like his bookhis book? Or ? Or their their bookbook??

Here the possessor DP is the Here the possessor DP is the genitive case pronoun, and genitive case pronoun, and there’s no there’s no ’s’s.. *Their’s book*Their’s book *Them’s book*Them’s book *They’s book*They’s book

Accordingly, we will instead Accordingly, we will instead suppose that there is a suppose that there is a null null DD, , ØØgengen that checks genitive that checks genitive case. The genitive case form case. The genitive case form of a non-pronominal DP of a non-pronominal DP isis audible in English, as audible in English, as DP’sDP’s..

DØgen

D

DP

NPbook

DP

Dthe

NPstudent

The king’s every whimThe king’s every whim A whimA whim The king’s whimThe king’s whim The king’s every whimThe king’s every whim

To the extent that To the extent that everyevery is a D, this is a D, this indicates two things:indicates two things: The king is to the left of the D; really, the The king is to the left of the D; really, the specifier of DP is the only place it could be.specifier of DP is the only place it could be.

The genitive case The genitive case ’s’s isn’t isn’t always always incompatible incompatible with an overt D (hence, better to think of with an overt D (hence, better to think of ’s’s not as a D but rather as a case marker on the not as a D but rather as a case marker on the possessor DP). We take this (marked) use of possessor DP). We take this (marked) use of everyevery to be an exceptional overt determiner that to be an exceptional overt determiner that can still check [gen].can still check [gen].

Checking genitive caseChecking genitive case The checking of genitive case in the DP The checking of genitive case in the DP works exactly like the checking on works exactly like the checking on nominative case in the TP does.nominative case in the TP does. I don’t mean to preclude the possibility that I don’t mean to preclude the possibility that the possessor actually moves from somewhere into the possessor actually moves from somewhere into SpecDP. We’ll explore that next week, but that SpecDP. We’ll explore that next week, but that need not happen for this to work.need not happen for this to work.

DØgen

[D, uN*,gen]

D

DP

NPbook

DP

Dthe

[D, uN*,case]

NPstudent

Checking genitive caseChecking genitive case The checking of genitive case in the DP The checking of genitive case in the DP works exactly like the checking on works exactly like the checking on nominative case in the TP does.nominative case in the TP does. I don’t mean to preclude the possibility that I don’t mean to preclude the possibility that the possessor actually moves from somewhere into the possessor actually moves from somewhere into SpecDP. We’ll explore that next week, but that SpecDP. We’ll explore that next week, but that need not happen for this to work.need not happen for this to work.

DØgen

[D, uN*, gen]

D

DP

NPbook

DP

Dthe

[D, uN*,gen]

NPstudent

A couple of null DsA couple of null Ds So we have at this point a couple of So we have at this point a couple of different null determiners. They are as different null determiners. They are as different as different as thethe is from is from aa or from or from thatthat, they , they just happen to be pronounced the same way just happen to be pronounced the same way (like this: “ ”).(like this: “ ”).

One is One is ØØgengen, which has a [gen] feature and in , which has a [gen] feature and in whose specifier we find possessors.whose specifier we find possessors.

Another is Another is ØØindefindef, which is a nonsingular , which is a nonsingular indefinite article, in whose complement we indefinite article, in whose complement we find plurals and mass nouns.find plurals and mass nouns. [[ØØindefindef Milk] spilled. [ Milk] spilled. [ØØindefindef People] cried.People] cried.

Mass vs. count: Some nouns indicate countable Mass vs. count: Some nouns indicate countable things (things (chairschairs) others indicate stuff () others indicate stuff (milkmilk). ). Singular/plural distinctions don’t apply with Singular/plural distinctions don’t apply with mass nouns.mass nouns.

RecursionRecursion

Another noteworthy aspect of the Another noteworthy aspect of the possessor phrase is its possessor phrase is its recursiverecursive property.property.

The possessor is a DP in the The possessor is a DP in the specifier of DP. That means that specifier of DP. That means that the DP possessor could have a the DP possessor could have a possessor too…possessor too… The student’s father’s bookThe student’s father’s book The student’s mother’s brother’s The student’s mother’s brother’s roommateroommate

RecursionRecursion The The student’s student’s mother’s mother’s brother’s brother’s roommateroommate D

Øgen

D

DP

NProommate

DP

Dthe

NPstudent

DØgen

D

DP

NPbrother

DØgen

D

DP

NPmother

Proper namesProper names As for proper names like As for proper names like PatPat, , we will assume that they have a we will assume that they have a structure something like structure something like studentsstudents.. The Pat we respect came to the The Pat we respect came to the party.party.

O Giorgos ephugeO Giorgos ephugethe George leftthe George left‘George left.’‘George left.’

ØØproperproper (names are not indefinite; (names are not indefinite; this is probably mostly the this is probably mostly the same as same as thethe, but silent)., but silent).

Implementation:Implementation:ØØproperproper has a [ has a [uuproperproper] feature, ] feature, PatPat has a [proper] feature. has a [proper] feature.

DØindef

DP

studentsNP

DØproper

DP

PatNP

Number agreement on DNumber agreement on D

What is wrong with What is wrong with *[*[DP DP A studentsA students]] and and **[[DPDP studentstudent]]? It’s a lack of ? It’s a lack of agreement in number. It’s like agreement in number. It’s like *Students eats lunch*Students eats lunch..

We can encode this in the same way: We can encode this in the same way: The indefinite determiner has a [The indefinite determiner has a [uu::] ] feature, and the N has feature, and the N has -features as -features as always (including a num feature).always (including a num feature).

The [The [uu::] feature is valued and ] feature is valued and checked by the checked by the -features of the N.-features of the N.

Number agreementNumber agreement This means This means aa and and ØØindefindef are in fact pronunciations are in fact pronunciations of the same D (Like of the same D (Like meme and and II are). are). A(n)A(n) is the pronunciation when it has a [ is the pronunciation when it has a [uu:sg] :sg] featurefeature

ØØ is the pronunciation otherwise is the pronunciation otherwise

[[DP DP ØØindefindef students] students] [[DPDP a student] a student]

D[D, u:3sg,uN*, case]

DP

NPstudent

[N, :3sg]

D[D, u:3pl,uN*, case]

DP

NPstudents[N, :3pl]