Episode 13b. Locality, phases,Episode 13b. Locality, phases,and islandsand islands

(9.5, 10)(9.5, 10)

CAS LX 522CAS LX 522Syntax ISyntax I

RecapRecap We’re looking at the formation of We’re looking at the formation of whwh-questions:-questions:

Locke was looking for somethingLocke was looking for something What was Locke looking for?What was Locke looking for?

What are the difference between these sentences?What are the difference between these sentences? One is declarative =One is declarative = C has a [clause-type:decl] feature.C has a [clause-type:decl] feature. One is a question =One is a question = C has a [clause-type:Q] feature.C has a [clause-type:Q] feature.

C has a [C has a [uuwh*wh*] feature.] feature.& has an interrogative pronoun =& has an interrogative pronoun =

WhatWhat (Theme) has a [wh] feature. (Theme) has a [wh] feature.For the [For the [uuwh*wh*] feature to be checked, ] feature to be checked, whatwhat needs to move needs to move

up to become sister to C.up to become sister to C. T has a [T has a [uuclause-type:clause-type:] feature to be checked.] feature to be checked.

C matches, values, checks it [C matches, values, checks it [uuclause-type:clause-type:decl].decl]. C matches and values it [C matches and values it [uuclause-type:Q*clause-type:Q*].].

For the feature to be checked, T must move up to C.For the feature to be checked, T must move up to C.

Recap: Embedded Recap: Embedded clausesclauses

Some verbs take DP objects:Some verbs take DP objects: Hurley grabbed Hurley grabbed [[DP DP the notepad]the notepad].. Hurley wrote Hurley wrote [[DPDP a note] a note]..

Some verbs take entire clauses (CPs, TPs):Some verbs take entire clauses (CPs, TPs): Hurley said Hurley said [[CPCP that he was taking a census] that he was taking a census].. Hurley seemed Hurley seemed [[TP TP <H.><H.> to enjoy the task] to enjoy the task].. Hurley asked Hurley asked [[CP CP where Ethan lived]where Ethan lived]..

It is perfectly possible to ask a question It is perfectly possible to ask a question requesting information about something in an requesting information about something in an embedded clause. A “embedded clause. A “long-distance long-distance questionquestion”.”. What did Hurley say [What did Hurley say [CP CP that he was taking that he was taking

<what><what>]?]?

Long-distance Long-distance whwh--movementmovement

What did H say [What did H say [CP CP he was writing he was writing <what><what>]?]? What happens here? Nothing new…What happens here? Nothing new…

This is a question:This is a question: The highest C has a [Q] The highest C has a [Q] (=[clause-type:Q])(=[clause-type:Q]) feature and a [ feature and a [uuwh*wh*] feature.] feature.

[[CPCP C [ C [TP TP H H T T say say [[CP CP he was writing he was writing whatwhat] ] ]] ] ] [Q,[Q,uuwh*wh*]] [[uuct:ct:]] [wh][wh]

Long-distance Long-distance whwh--movementmovement

What did H say [What did H say [CP CP he was writing he was writing <what><what>]?]? What happens here? Nothing new…What happens here? Nothing new…

This is a question:This is a question: The highest C has a [Q] The highest C has a [Q] (=[clause-(=[clause-type:Q])type:Q]) feature and a [ feature and a [uuwh*wh*] feature.] feature.

When C values the [When C values the [uuclause-type:clause-type:] feature of T, it ] feature of T, it becomes [becomes [uuclause-type:Q*clause-type:Q*]. ]. To check this feature, T To check this feature, T moves to C.moves to C.

[[CPCP C [ C [TP TP H H T T say say [[CP CP he was writing whathe was writing what] ] ]] ] ] [Q,[Q,uuwh*wh*]] [[uuct:Q*ct:Q*] ] [wh][wh]

Long-distance Long-distance whwh--movementmovement

What did H say [What did H say [CP CP he was writing he was writing <what><what>]?]? What happens here? Nothing new…What happens here? Nothing new…

This is a question:This is a question: The highest C has a [Q] The highest C has a [Q] (=[clause-(=[clause-type:Q])type:Q]) feature and a [ feature and a [uuwh*wh*] feature.] feature.

When C values the [When C values the [uuclause-type:clause-type:] feature of T, it ] feature of T, it becomes [becomes [uuclause-type:Q*clause-type:Q*]. ]. To check this feature, T To check this feature, T moves to C.moves to C.

When T is adjoined to C, its sister is not headed by When T is adjoined to C, its sister is not headed by vv, so , so we “insert we “insert dodo” to pronounce the tense.” to pronounce the tense.

[[CPCP T+C [ T+C [TP TP H H <T><T> say say [[CP CP he was writing he was writing whatwhat] ] ]] ] ][[uuct:Q*]+[Q,ct:Q*]+[Q,uuwh*wh*]] [wh][wh]

diddid

Long-distance Long-distance whwh--movementmovement

What did H say [What did H say [CP CP he was writing he was writing <what><what>]?]? What happens here? Nothing new…What happens here? Nothing new…

This is a question:This is a question: The highest C has a [Q] The highest C has a [Q] (=[clause-(=[clause-type:Q])type:Q]) feature and a [ feature and a [uuwh*wh*] feature.] feature.

When C values the [When C values the [uuclause-type:clause-type:] feature of T, it ] feature of T, it becomes [becomes [uuclause-type:Q*clause-type:Q*]. ]. To check this feature, T To check this feature, T moves to C.moves to C.

When T is adjoined to C, its sister is not headed by When T is adjoined to C, its sister is not headed by vv, so , so we “insert we “insert dodo” to pronounce the tense.” to pronounce the tense.

To check the [To check the [uuwh*wh*] feature of C, the interrogative ] feature of C, the interrogative pronoun pronoun whatwhat moves up (into SpecCP). moves up (into SpecCP).

[[CPCP what T+C what T+C [[TP TP H H <T><T> say say [[CP CP he was writing he was writing <what><what>]]]]]] [wh] [ [wh] [uuct:Q*]+[Q, ct:Q*]+[Q, uuwh*]wh*] diddid

Long distance Long distance whwh--movementmovement

At first glance, there seems to be no limit on At first glance, there seems to be no limit on how far a how far a whwh-word can move any more than -word can move any more than there is a limit on how many clauses you can there is a limit on how many clauses you can embed:embed: What did Jack bring?What did Jack bring? What did Charlie hear What did Charlie hear [[CPCP Jack brought Jack brought _ ]_ ]??

What did Claire say What did Claire say [[CPCP Charlie heardCharlie heard[[CP CP Jack brought Jack brought _ ] ]_ ] ]??

What did Kate think What did Kate think [[CP CP Claire saidClaire said[[CP CP Charlie heard Charlie heard [[CP CP Jack brought Jack brought _ ]]]_ ]]]??

And yet…And yet…

IslandsIslands Hurley claimed Hurley claimed [[CPCP that the list does not include that the list does not include

Ethan Ethan ]].. Who did Hurley claim Who did Hurley claim [[CPCP that the list does not include that the list does not include

_ _ ]]??

Jack believesJack believes[[DPDP the claim the claim [[CPCP that the list does not include Ethan that the list does not include Ethan ]]]]..

*Who does Jack believe*Who does Jack believe[[DPDP the claim the claim [[CPCP that the list does not include _ that the list does not include _ ]]]]??

IslandsIslands Hurley claimed Hurley claimed [[CPCP that the list does not include Ethan that the list does not include Ethan ]].. Who did Hurley claim Who did Hurley claim [[CPCP that the list does not include that the list does not include

_ _ ]]??

Jack believesJack believes[[DPDP the claim the claim [[CPCP that the list does not include Ethan that the list does not include Ethan ]]]]..

*Who does Jack believe*Who does Jack believe[[DPDP the claim the claim [[CPCP that the list does not include _ that the list does not include _ ]]]]??

WhoWho starts out starts out inside the DP.inside the DP. The DP forms a sort of The DP forms a sort of barrierbarrier

to movementto movement.. Complex Noun Phrase islandComplex Noun Phrase island

LocalityLocality The generalization The generalization (which we hope to explain):(which we hope to explain):

A A whwh-word cannot move out of a DP.-word cannot move out of a DP.

This is a This is a locality conditionlocality condition, a requirement that , a requirement that whwh-movement not go too far -movement not go too far (where escaping (where escaping from inside a DP counts as “too far”)from inside a DP counts as “too far”)..

We have a bit of a paradox, then: We have a bit of a paradox, then: WhWh-words -words seem to be able to move arbitrarily far seem to be able to move arbitrarily far (e.g., (e.g., from any number of embedded clauses)from any number of embedded clauses)—but —but whwh--words cannot move too far words cannot move too far (e.g., out of a DP)(e.g., out of a DP)..

Can whCan wh-words go arbitrarily -words go arbitrarily far?far?

Assuming that moving a Assuming that moving a whwh-word out from -word out from inside a DP is impossible because it is inside a DP is impossible because it is moving the moving the whwh-word “too far”, we should go -word “too far”, we should go back to look at why we thought back to look at why we thought whwh-words -words couldcould move arbitrarily far. move arbitrarily far.

What did Kate think What did Kate think [[CP CP Claire saidClaire said[[CP CP Charlie heard Charlie heard [[CP CP Jack brought Jack brought _ _

]]]]]]??

Where do Where do whwh-words generally move?-words generally move? What will Ethan do _?What will Ethan do _?

What exactly is going on?What exactly is going on? What exactly did you buy?What exactly did you buy? What did you buy exactly?What did you buy exactly?

All the students will buy a textbook.All the students will buy a textbook. The students will all buy a textbook.The students will all buy a textbook.

What exactly did he say What exactly did he say [[CPCP that he wantsthat he wants]]?? What did he say What did he say [[CPCP that he wants exactlythat he wants exactly]]?? What did he say What did he say [[CPCP exactly that he wantsexactly that he wants]]??

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic complementizer complementizer

agreementagreement Bha mi ag ràdh Bha mi ag ràdh gungun do bhuail i e. do bhuail i e.was I was I ASPASP saying saying thatthat PRTPRT struck she himstruck she him‘I was saying that she hit him.’‘I was saying that she hit him.’

Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gugu bheil Iain air a mhisg. bheil Iain air a mhisg.am I am I ASPASP thinking thinking thatthat is Iain on his is Iain on his drinkdrink‘I think that Iain is drunk.’‘I think that Iain is drunk.’

Cò bha thu ag ràdh Cò bha thu ag ràdh aa bhuail i?bhuail i?who were you who were you ASPASP saying saying thatthat struck she struck she‘Who were you saying that she hit?’‘Who were you saying that she hit?’

Cò tha thu a’ smaoineachadh Cò tha thu a’ smaoineachadh aa tha air a mhisg? tha air a mhisg?who are you who are you ASPASP thinking thinking thatthat is on his drink is on his drink‘Who do you think is drunk?’‘Who do you think is drunk?’

Inversion in SpanishInversion in Spanish Maria contestó la pregunta.Maria contestó la pregunta.

Maria answered the questionMaria answered the question‘Maria answered the question.’‘Maria answered the question.’

Contestó la pregunta Maria.Contestó la pregunta Maria.answered the question Mariaanswered the question Maria‘Maria answered the question.’‘Maria answered the question.’

Qué querían esos dos?Qué querían esos dos?what wanted those twowhat wanted those two‘What did those two want?’‘What did those two want?’

*Qué esos dos querían?*Qué esos dos querían?what those two wantedwhat those two wanted(‘What did those two want?’)(‘What did those two want?’)

When a wh-word is in

SpecCP, the subject must appear after

the VP.

Successive inversionSuccessive inversion Juan pensaba que Pedro le había dicho que…Juan pensaba que Pedro le había dicho que…

Juan thoughtJuan thought that that Pedro to-him had saidPedro to-him had said that thatla revista había publicado ya el articulo. la revista había publicado ya el articulo. the journal had publishedthe journal had published already the article already the article‘Juan thought that Pedro had told him that the ‘Juan thought that Pedro had told him that the journal had published the article already.’journal had published the article already.’

Qué pensaba Juan que le había dicho Qué pensaba Juan que le había dicho Pedro…Pedro…what what thought Juanthought Juan that to-him that to-him had said Pedrohad said Pedroque había publicado la revista?que había publicado la revista?that that had published the journalhad published the journal‘What did Juan think that Pedro had told him ‘What did Juan think that Pedro had told him that the journal had published?’that the journal had published?’

Successive inversionSuccessive inversion Juan pensaba que Pedro le había dicho que…Juan pensaba que Pedro le había dicho que…

Juan thoughtJuan thought that that Pedro to-him had saidPedro to-him had said that thatla revista había publicado ya el articulo. la revista había publicado ya el articulo. the journal had publishedthe journal had published already the article already the article‘Juan thought that Pedro had told him that the ‘Juan thought that Pedro had told him that the journal had published the article already.’journal had published the article already.’

Qué pensaba Juan que le había dicho Qué pensaba Juan que le había dicho Pedro…Pedro…what what thought Juanthought Juan that to-him that to-him had said Pedrohad said Pedroque había publicado la revista?que había publicado la revista?that that had published the journalhad published the journal‘What did Juan think that Pedro had told him ‘What did Juan think that Pedro had told him that the journal had published?’that the journal had published?’

When a wh-word is in

SpecCP, the subject must appear after

the VP.

When a wh-word is in

SpecCP, the subject must appear after

the VP.

When a wh-word is in

SpecCP, the subject must appear after

the VP.

That “unbounded” That “unbounded” movement…movement…

It looks like (where we can tell), a It looks like (where we can tell), a whwh-word -word that moves from inside an embedded clause that moves from inside an embedded clause actually moves first to the SpecCP of the actually moves first to the SpecCP of the embedded clause, and then moves onembedded clause, and then moves on..

[[CPCP What did you say What did you say[[CP CP <what><what> that Pat would eat that Pat would eat <what><what> ] ]

]] ? ?

Compare:Compare:[[CPCP [ [TP TP Pat seems Pat seems [[TPTP <Pat> <Pat> to be likely to be likely [[TPTP

<Pat> <Pat> to appear to appear [[TPTP <Pat><Pat> to cry to cry ] ] ] ] ]] ] ] ] ]

That “unbounded” That “unbounded” movement…movement…

This means: This means: Where it looked like Where it looked like whwh-words -words were moving over great distances, those were moving over great distances, those distances were traversed in small steps.distances were traversed in small steps.

What did Kate think What did Kate think [[CP CP <what> <what> Claire saidClaire said[[CP CP <what> <what> Charlie heardCharlie heard[[CP CP <what> <what> Jack brought Jack brought <what><what> ]]] ]]]??

If If whwh-movement is in fact constrained not to -movement is in fact constrained not to move “too far”, this explains how it can move “too far”, this explains how it can looklook like like wh-wh-movement is unbounded.movement is unbounded.

What it means to move What it means to move too fartoo far

Having gotten an idea about what Having gotten an idea about what isis happening, let’s go back to our theory to happening, let’s go back to our theory to figure out how we can ensure that it does.figure out how we can ensure that it does. We need to allow a We need to allow a whwh-word to move from -word to move from

one SpecCP to a higher SpecCP.one SpecCP to a higher SpecCP. [[CPCP What did Abe say What did Abe say [[CPCP <what><what> that Bart stole that Bart stole

<what><what>]]]]?? We need to prevent a We need to prevent a whwh-word from -word from

moving from further inside a CP to a moving from further inside a CP to a higher SpecCP.higher SpecCP.

[[CPCP What did Abe say What did Abe say [[CPCP that Bart stole that Bart stole <what><what>]]]]??

What it means to move What it means to move too fartoo far

A common idea about this is to say that sentences A common idea about this is to say that sentences are built up in “chunks”, called are built up in “chunks”, called phasesphases..

A CP constitutes a phase.A CP constitutes a phase. Once you’ve built a phase, you can’t “see into it” Once you’ve built a phase, you can’t “see into it”

further than the specifier.further than the specifier. [[CPCP CC[[uuwh*wh*]] [[TPTP AbeAbe T T saysay [[CPCP that [that [TP TP Bart stole what…Bart stole what…

[[CPCP CC[[uuwh*wh*]] [[TPTP AbeAbe T T saysay [[CPCP whatwhat that [that [TP TP Bart stole Bart stole <what>…<what>…

So, in order for [So, in order for [uuwh*wh*] to be checked, ] to be checked, whatwhat must must be visible to it.be visible to it.

Technical Technical implementationimplementation

To allow To allow whatwhat to move to an embedded SpecCP, we to move to an embedded SpecCP, we need to be able to add (optionally) a [need to be able to add (optionally) a [uuwh*wh*] feature ] feature even to a C that is not itself [clause-type:Q].even to a C that is not itself [clause-type:Q].

[[CPCP CC[[uuwh*wh*]] [[TPTP AbeAbe T T saysay [[CPCP whatwhat that [that [TP TP Bart stole <what>…Bart stole <what>…

If you don’t, the topmost [If you don’t, the topmost [uuwh*wh*] can never be ] can never be checked.checked.

Embedded C may optionally bear [Embedded C may optionally bear [uuwh*wh*].].

WhWh-islands-islands Having gotten this far, we predict that it is not Having gotten this far, we predict that it is not

possible to turn thispossible to turn this

Pat asked Pat asked [[CPCP who kidnapped the Lindbergh who kidnapped the Lindbergh babybaby]]..

into a question asking about the kidnappee:into a question asking about the kidnappee:

*Who did Pat ask *Who did Pat ask [[CPCP who kidnapped who kidnapped <who><who>]]??

See why?See why?

WhWh-islands-islands

An embedded question forms another kind of An embedded question forms another kind of an “island”, generally called aan “island”, generally called a whwh-island-island..

The embedded C already had a [The embedded C already had a [uuwh*wh*] feature, ] feature, which was checked by moving the first which was checked by moving the first whwh-word -word into SpecCP. By the time we get to the main clause into SpecCP. By the time we get to the main clause C, it can no longer see a C, it can no longer see a whwh-word inside the -word inside the embedded clause.embedded clause.

*Who did Pat ask *Who did Pat ask [[CPCP who kidnapped who kidnapped <who><who>]]??

OpOp In fact, remember when we looked at yes-In fact, remember when we looked at yes-

no questions and suggested that even no questions and suggested that even they have a “silent they have a “silent whetherwhether” (” (OpOp)?)?

Pat wondered Pat wondered [[CPCP OpOp if Hauptmann if Hauptmann kidnapped the Lindbergh babykidnapped the Lindbergh baby]]..

*Who did Pat wonder *Who did Pat wonder [[CP CP OpOp if Hauptmann if Hauptmann kidnapped kidnapped <who><who>]]??

Evidence that Evidence that OpOp is really there. is really there.

Complex Noun Phrase Complex Noun Phrase islandsislands

We can use the same kind of explanation for We can use the same kind of explanation for the Complex Noun Phrase islands:the Complex Noun Phrase islands:

*Who does Jack believe*Who does Jack believe[[DPDP the claim the claim [[CPCP that the list does not include _ that the list does not include _ ]]]]??

If we suppose that DP, like CP, is a phase.If we suppose that DP, like CP, is a phase.

*Who does Jack believe*Who does Jack believe[[DPDP the claim [the claim [CPCP that the list does not include _ ] that the list does not include _ ]]]??

Adjunct islandsAdjunct islands

One last type of island we’ll consider is the One last type of island we’ll consider is the adjunct islandadjunct island. Generally: . Generally: A A whwh-word cannot -word cannot escape an adjoined modifier.escape an adjoined modifier.

Dr. Hibbert laughed Dr. Hibbert laughed [[CPCP when Homer lost a finger when Homer lost a finger]]..

*What did Dr. Hibbert laugh *What did Dr. Hibbert laugh [[CPCP when Homer lost when Homer lost]]??

We don’t yet have a good explanation for this. So We don’t yet have a good explanation for this. So far, we predict these should be possible.far, we predict these should be possible.

Adjunct islandsAdjunct islands To account for the islandhood of adjuncts in our To account for the islandhood of adjuncts in our

system, we will add one further condition:system, we will add one further condition:

The specifier of a phase is only visible to The specifier of a phase is only visible to feature matching if the phase gets a feature matching if the phase gets a -role.-role. Note:Note: Adger makes this one step more complicated, Adger makes this one step more complicated,

to account for “subject islands” but we won’t do that to account for “subject islands” but we won’t do that here.here.

Adjuncts differ from arguments in precisely this Adjuncts differ from arguments in precisely this property.property.

In sum…In sum… Sentences are “chunked” into Sentences are “chunked” into phasesphases as they are as they are

built up. Phases are built up. Phases are CPCP and and DPDP.. A feature outside of a phase cannot match a A feature outside of a phase cannot match a

feature further inside the phase than its feature further inside the phase than its specifier.specifier.

This leads to This leads to island phenomenaisland phenomena, configurations , configurations in which a in which a whwh-word would be “trapped”:-word would be “trapped”: CNP islands:CNP islands: A A whwh-word cannot get to the specifier of -word cannot get to the specifier of

DP and so is not visible from outside.DP and so is not visible from outside. WhWh-islands:-islands: A A whwh-word cannot get to the specifier of -word cannot get to the specifier of

an embedded question (that already has a an embedded question (that already has a whwh-word, or -word, or OpOp, in its specifier)., in its specifier).

Adjunct islands:Adjunct islands: Even the specifier is not visible if the Even the specifier is not visible if the phase did not get a phase did not get a -role.-role.