1. Lecture 3 Krisztina Szécsényi
Syntax
Lecture 3
Krisztina Szécsényi

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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)

6. 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

7. Coming soon:
Possessive DPs
Adjunction in the DP