Phi-features and the Modular Architecture of - UMR 7023 - CNRS
Phi-features and the Modular Architecture of - UMR 7023 - CNRS
Phi-features and the Modular Architecture of - UMR 7023 - CNRS
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1 <strong>Modular</strong>ity, phi-<strong>features</strong>, <strong>and</strong> repairs<br />
1.1 Introduction<br />
This work is about <strong>the</strong> modular architecture <strong>of</strong> syntax <strong>and</strong> its adjacent components<br />
<strong>of</strong> realization <strong>and</strong> interpretation, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> phi-<strong>features</strong> shared by <strong>the</strong>m all.<br />
<strong>Phi</strong>-agreement phenomena in <strong>the</strong>se domains lead to <strong>the</strong> following conclusions:<br />
A. <strong>Modular</strong>ity: <strong>Phi</strong>-<strong>features</strong> <strong>and</strong> operations over <strong>the</strong>m support <strong>the</strong> modular<br />
organization <strong>of</strong> language. Syntax, realization at PF, <strong>and</strong> interpretation at<br />
LF involve modules distinct in <strong>the</strong>ir computational character <strong>and</strong> information<br />
types, <strong>and</strong> narrowly restricted in <strong>the</strong>ir interaction.<br />
B. <strong>Phi</strong>-<strong>features</strong>: <strong>Phi</strong>-<strong>features</strong> are among <strong>the</strong> primitives <strong>of</strong> syntax, realization,<br />
<strong>and</strong> interpretation, <strong>and</strong> thus a window on <strong>the</strong> character <strong>and</strong> interactions <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> modules. In syntax, phi-<strong>features</strong> <strong>and</strong> operations over <strong>the</strong>m are distinct<br />
from those <strong>of</strong> both PF <strong>and</strong> LF.<br />
C. Globality: There exists a mechanism to form syntactic dependencies as a<br />
last-resort response to licensing requirements. In <strong>the</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Minimalist<br />
Program, it is an interface operation that adds an uninterpretable<br />
feature to <strong>the</strong> numeration if needed for Full Interpretation. <strong>Modular</strong> architecture<br />
imposes narrow limits on its scope.<br />
This introductory chapter discusses <strong>the</strong>se conclusions A-C one per section, but<br />
some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>the</strong>mes may first be sketched here. Consider <strong>the</strong> French paradigm in<br />
(1). An unfocussed pronominal object must ordinarily be a clitic (italics), both dative<br />
<strong>and</strong> accusative. The dative clitic vous in (1)a cannot be replaced ei<strong>the</strong>r by a<br />
strong pronoun, (1)b, nor by a locative clitic, (1)c. However, when <strong>the</strong> accusative<br />
clitic is 1 st /2 nd person or <strong>the</strong> reflexive se, a dative clitic is impossible, (2)a. Then<br />
<strong>and</strong> only <strong>the</strong>n, <strong>the</strong> indirect object may appear as a strong dative pronoun (2)b (underlined),<br />
or in some varieties signalled by ¥ , as a locative clitic (2)c.<br />
(1) a. Elle vous le présentera.<br />
she you.DAT him.ACC will.introduce<br />
b. *Elle le présentera à vous.<br />
she him.ACC will.introduce to you<br />
c. ¥ *Elle l' y présentera.<br />
she him.ACC LOC will.introduce<br />
She will introduce him to you (à vous is ok if focussed, 'to YOU').<br />
(2) a. *Elle nous/se vous présentera.<br />
she us/SE.ACC you.DAT will.introduce<br />
b. Elle nous/se présentera à vous.<br />
she us/SE.ACC will.introduce to you<br />
c. ¥ Elle nous/s' y présentera.<br />
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