Goal of this piece of work is to provide a thorough overview and explanation of the movement of noun phrases (NPs) in the English language. Emphasis will be laid on the passivization and raising processes and the VP-Internal-Hypothesis which gives an understanding and explanation where nouns originate and move up to.
A general introduction of transformational grammar and categories is supposed to give the necessary frame for understanding English syntax.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. ENGLISH SYNTAX
2.1 Transformational Grammar
2.2. The argument structure of sentences
2.3. Thematic roles (the theta-criterion)
2.4. X-bar theory
3. NP-MOVEMENT
3.1 The VP-Internal Hypothesis
3.1.1. Syntax of quantifiers
3.1.2. The syntax of idioms
3.1.3. Cliticization
3.1.4. Reflexive pronouns
3.2 Passivization
3.3 Raising
4. Conclusion
Objectives & Core Topics
This work aims to provide a comprehensive explanation of noun phrase (NP) movement in English syntax, specifically examining how transformational processes such as passivization and raising function within the framework of the VP-Internal Hypothesis.
- Theoretical foundations of transformational grammar and X-bar theory
- Mechanisms of the VP-Internal Hypothesis and subject formation
- Syntax of quantifiers, idioms, and reflexive pronouns in movement
- Analysis of passivization and raising as case-driven phenomena
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2. The syntax of idioms
By means of idioms I want to proof that subject-NPs originate internally of VP and are then moved. Idioms are expressions which have an idiosyncratic meaning. It seems that only a string of words which forms an unitary constituent can be an idiom.
(16) a Let’s have a couple of drinks to break the ice.
b I’m going to hit the hay now.
c He’ll hit the roof when you tell him.
As shown in (16) the italicized words break the ice, hit the hay and hit the roof are unitary constituents consisting of a verb and a complement. These expressions in italics are new lexemes and come as whole phrases and have a fixed choice of complements. They can be found in lexicons and can’t be replaced by other words as will be demonstrated later on.
More restrictive idioms are VP-idioms such as
(17) All hell broke loose.
(18) The shit hit the fan.
In this case not only verb and its complement are fixed but also the subject. Therefore you can’t invent new expressions such as
(19) *The whole inferno broke free.
(20) *Camel dung was sucked into the air conditioning.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the goal of the paper to explain NP movement and introduces the role of the VP-Internal Hypothesis.
2. ENGLISH SYNTAX: Provides the necessary theoretical background, including transformational grammar, argument structure, thematic roles, and X-bar theory.
3. NP-MOVEMENT: Details the primary focus of the study, covering the VP-Internal Hypothesis and its application to quantifiers, idioms, cliticization, reflexives, passivization, and raising.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes that NP movement is a case-driven process occurring at the deep structure level.
Keywords
NP-movement, English syntax, Transformational grammar, VP-Internal Hypothesis, Deep structure, Surface structure, Passivization, Raising, Thematic roles, Theta-criterion, X-bar theory, Quantifiers, Idioms, Cliticization, Reflexive pronouns
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The paper examines the movement of noun phrases within English syntax, aiming to demonstrate that these movements originate at the deep structure level.
What central themes are explored in the text?
The text focuses on transformational grammar, argument structure, the VP-Internal Hypothesis, and how specific grammatical phenomena like passivization and raising work.
What is the research goal?
The goal is to explain where nouns originate and how they move to their surface positions, proving the validity of the VP-Internal Hypothesis.
Which linguistic methodology is applied?
The author uses a transformational-generative approach, analyzing sentence structure through tree diagrams, deep and surface representations, and trace theory.
What does the main body cover?
It covers theoretical frameworks, followed by detailed evidence for NP movement found in quantifiers, idiomatic expressions, cliticization, reflexives, and passive voice constructions.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include NP-movement, VP-Internal Hypothesis, Transformational grammar, Passivization, Raising, and Deep structure.
How does the VP-Internal Hypothesis explain subjects?
It posits that subjects originate within the verb phrase (VP) and are subsequently raised to the specifier position of the tense phrase (spec-TP).
Why is NP-movement considered case-driven?
The text argues that NP movement is necessary because passive verbs and certain adjectives cannot assign case to their complements, forcing the NP to move to a position where it can receive case.
- Quote paper
- Lars Berghaus (Author), 2001, Movement of noun phrases in English syntax, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74228
