Empty Categories and Clitics

In Spanish, third person object and dative clitics have a number of contrasting properties. Dative clitics allow doubling, and this is one of the reasons why it is interpreted as agreement. This chapter argues that dative clitics do not uniformly represent agreement. Specifically, when there is no overt doubling DP, dative clitics are incorporated determiners. Evidence for this proposal is found in DOM. When the clitic is doubled by a DP, the object cannot receive DOM; however, when it is not, DOM can, and (for most speakers) must be assigned to the object when conditions for DOM assignment are met. Evidence can also be found in the behavior of dative clitics in some laísta dialects. In these dialects, laísmo only shows up in those contexts where accusative Case can be assigned. Since accusative clitics are incorporated determiners, they are not compatible with doubling contexts.

EMPTY CATEGORIES IN TRANSFORMATIONAL RULES

There are three theories that are always developed in any study of language, namely theory of language structure, theory of language acquisition, and theory of language use. Among those three theories, theory of language structure is regarded as the most important one. It is assumed that if someone knows the structure of language, he/she can develop theories about how language is acquired and used. It makes Chomsky interested in developing the theory of language structure. Chomsky introduced a theory of grammar called Transformational Generative Grammar or Transformational Syntax. Transformational Syntax is a method of sentence fomation which applies some syntactic rules (or also called transformational rules). Transformational rules consist of three types, namely movement transformation, deletion transformation, and substitution transformation. When those transformational rules are applied in a sentence, they will leave empty categories. Empty categories can be in the form of Complementizer (Comp), Trace, and PRO. This article will elaborate those empty categories; their appearance in the transformational rules; and the characteristics of each empty category.

Empty category in Persian relative clauses

Empty categories are one of the fundamental parts of generativist’s view towards language. Empty operators, the so-called null elements, which are syntactically active in relative clauses and possibly move into [spec, CP], have reportedly been found in different languages. However, there is no solid evidence for the existence of empty operators in Persian relative clauses. Despite this, syntactic evidences such as theta theory, argument structure and subjacency condition provide satisfactory provable tests in favor of their role in Persian grammar. Namely, Persian relative clauses contain resumptive pronouns which may be covert. Their movement into [spec, CP] can precisely account for subjacency effect in relative clauses. Resumptive pronouns can occupy the subject as well as the object position. This articles attempts to introduce empty operators to Persian syntax, and shows that in such a way it is possible to account for the peculiar behavior of the Persian complementizer “ke” and its obligatory nature.

PF deletion within Chinese DPs

The aim of this paper is to study the empty categories which may exist inside the Chinese DP domain. The primary discussion concerns an empty category which results from the deletion of NP. This paper introduces a novel observation that equation sentences with a “Modifier- Empty-NP” object can only result from ellipsis, and cannot be a base-generated pro-Form in Mandarin Chinese. I further show that the rich array of functional elements and modifications in the internal structure of the Chinese DP can aid linguists in ascertaining the domain over which deletion happens.

شرۆڤەكردنى ڕستەى زمانى كوردى لە ڕوانگەى تيۆرى دەسەڵات و بەستنەوەدا

This study tries to analyze the Kurdish language, using Chomsky’s (1981) Government Binding theory, which is by itself regarded as a turning point in Chomsky’s Transformational Generative Grammar related to Universal Grammar. This approach will answer the diversity occurs in different languages according to Principles and Parameters. First, Universal Grammar and its principles have been mentioned in this study. Later on, interpretations are given to the sub-theories of GB with which sentences in central Kurdish are analyzed. Besides, the level and method of the theory a long with the optional and obligatory movements are shown. Interpretations are given to different cases of noun phrase. The difference between grammatical case and theta role is indicated through examples.Again, indicating economy in expression, movement and null-constituents whose places can be filled by PRO/ pro are discussed. The distribution of pronouns to personal and demonstrative which refer back to the empty categories reveals the activeness of Kurdish as a pro-drop language.

The Adequacy of Empty Category in the Theory of Syntax

This article provides syntactic arguments and evidence which describe the significant functions of empty categories in the theory of Generative Transformational Syntax. The descriptions indicate that four empty caries postulated in the theory do solve a number of syntactic properties. It means that the theory of Generative Transformational Syntax has satisfied its principle that it has the characteristics of descriptive adequacy and explanatory adequacy.

Universal Grammar Theory and Language Acquisition: Evidence from the Null Subject Parameter

This article introduces the Universal-Grammar-based (UG) theory of language acquisition. It focuses on parameters, both as a theoretical construct and in relation to first-language acquisition (L1A). The null subject parameter is used to illustrate how languages vary and explain how a child’s grammar develops into adult grammar over time. The article is structured as follows: the first section outlines crucial ideas that are relevant to language acquisition in generative linguistics, such as the notions of competence, performance, critical period, and language faculty. Section two introduces and discusses the content of language faculty from the perspectives of the Principles and Parameters Theory and the Minimalist Program for Linguistic Theory. This section also briefly describes the contrast among languages in regard to whether or not they allow empty categories in subject position in finite clauses. The third section first discusses how children are hypothesised to acquire their native language (L1). Then, in light of findings from the early null subject phenomenon, this section empirically examines the content of grammars that are developed by children at various developmental stages until they acquire the appropriate value for the null subject parameter. The final section highlights the important role of UG theory to L1A.