| Caroline Heycock |
Syntactic Theory |
Exam Guide |
1. It has been argued that if X-Bar Theory is assumed, and if the grammar for each language includes a lexicon containing subcategorization information, then the grammar does not need to contain any specific phrase-structure rules. Explain this claim, and assess the extent to which it is valid.
2. What does it mean to say that a constituent is an "island" for movement, and to what extent is this phenomenon accounted for by the Principle of Subjacency?.
3. We have considered various different types of movement. To what extent can their similarities and differences be explained within Government & Binding / Principles & Parameters Theory?
4. What is the difference in the syntactic behaviour of anaphors, pronouns, and R[eferring] expressions, and how does Government & Binding / Principles & Parameters Theory account for this behaviour? Illustrate your answer with specific examples.
5. Answer (a) OR (b)
(a) What syntactic differences are there between the behaviour of verbs
in French and in English, and how can they be accounted for in Government
& Binding / Principles & Parameters Theory? If there are unresolved
problems, state them also.
(b) What are the similarities and differences between the syntactic behaviour
of the words "not" and "never" in English, and how could
they best be described within Government \& Binding / Principles \&
Parameters Theory? If there are any problems for which there seems no solution,
you should note these also. You should consider at least the following data,
but you may introduce other examples:
a. *Kim left not the house. / *Kim not left the house / Kim did not leave
the house.
b. *Kim left never the house. / Kim never left the house/ *Kim did never
leave the house.
c. Kim may not leave the house. / *Kim not may leave the house.
d. Kim may never leave the house. / Kim never may leave the house.
e. Kim is not pleased. / *Kim not is pleased.
f. Kim is never pleased. / Kim never is pleased.
6. Answer (a) OR (b) OR (c)
(a) What role does the notion of "Case" play in Government &
Binding / Principles and Parameters Theory?
(b) How can the following pattern of data be accounted for within Government
& Binding / Principles and Parameters Theory? If there are unresolved
problems, state them also.
a. It appears that Jo enjoys hill-walking.
b. Kay appears to enjoy hill-walking.
c. *Kay appears that Jo enjoys hill-walking.
d. *It appears Jo to enjoy hill-walking.
e. There tends to be trouble at these conferences.
f. *There tends to enjoy themselves at these conferences.
g. *Jo is probable to be heckled at this conference.
h. Jo is sure to be heckled at this conference.
(c) What is meant by "control" in Government & Binding / Principles and Parameters Theory? How does it differ from "raising", and how is this distinction accounted for within the theory?
| Caroline Heycock |
Syntactic Theory |
Exam Guide |
 |
30th April 1998 |