French Studies Publications
An Explanation of Extraction Asymmetries in Malagasy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2002
Volume
2
Journal
Linguistic Variation Yearbook
First Page
99
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1075/livy.2.06pau
Last Page
122
Abstract
This paper investigates one aspect of cross-linguistic variation in extraction patterns. Data from Malagasy have posed a problem for ECP-based accounts of A-bar movement. This variation is shown to stem from fundamental differences in how arguments are licensed. In Malagasy, for example, objects are licensed in-situ and never escape vP. Since vP is a strong phase, objects can never be a target for A-bar movement. In languages such as English, however, objects must be licensed by some head external to the vP. Movement to the edge of vP in English allows for futher A-bar movement. Also discussed is how the proposed analysis applies to other languages with similar extraction patterns (e.g. Tagalog and Indonesian).
Notes
Dr. Ileana Paul is currently a faculty member at The University of Western Ontario.