Lecture 3 Krisztina Szécsényi Syntax Lecture 3 Krisztina Szécsényi

Revision Specifier rule: XP → Specifier X’ Complement rule: X’ → X Complement Adjunct rule: XP → XP, Adjunct The values of X: the functional and lexical categories of language. Specifiers, complements, adjuncts: also phrases with their own internal structure → complexity

The typology of functional (+F) and lexical (-F) categories [-N, +V] [-F, -N, +V] = V – Verbs [+F, -N, +V] = Inflections: Modals, -ed, -s/Ø, infinitival to [+N, -V] [-F, +N, -V] = N – Nouns [+F, +N, -V] = Determiners: the, a/an, every, this, ‘s [+N, +V] [-F, +N, +V] = A – Adjectives/Adverbs [+F, +N, +V] = Degree Adverbs: so, too, as [-N, -V] [-F, -N, -V] = P – Prepositions [+F, -N, -V] = Complementisers: that, if, for

The structure of nominal expressions The DP approach *Student arrived ⇒ The/A/Every student arrived. A complete nominal expression is specified for both functional and lexical features.

The structure of nominal expressions It is the determiner that selects the NP, the D head has the NP in its complement position (heads introduce restrictions on their complements). DP → (Specifier) D’ D’ → D NP NP → (Specifier) N’ N’ → N (Complement)

Types of nominal expressions Different types, same structure: The students/Students/Peter /They arrived. A DP can only be substituted by a DP. Are pronouns (they), generic nominals (students/nature) and proper nouns (Peter) also DPs? Yes: zero determiners, complementary distribution facts

Coming soon: Possessive DPs Adjunction in the DP