Subject Positions and Derivational Scope Calculation in Minimalist Syntax : A Phase-Based Approach

Subject Positions and Derivational Scope Calculation in Minimalist Syntax: A Phase-Based Approach YUKIKO UEDA Meiji Gakuin University 1518 Kamikuratacho, Totsuka-ku Yokohama, Japan PXN13771@nifty.ne.jp Abstract This paper proposes a new scope calculation system named a phase-based approach. The new system treats scope calculation as a feature-matching operation between more than one interpretable feature related to quantification (henceforth Fqunt1). We call this matching operation Fq.nrmatching. It is shown that the working space of Fquanrmatching is restricted by a syntactic unit phases. Given the matching operation for scope calculation in CHL, scope interpretation can be derivationally determined in narrow syntax as far as it is permitted by the Phase Impenetrability Condition (PIC) proposed in Chomsky (2001). It is demonstrated that various mysterious scope facts in both English and Japanese are reducible to our phase-based scope system without any other special implement. 1� Introduction This paper explores the correlation between subject positions and scope interpretation in Chomsky's (2000, 2001) framework. Section 2 discusses variation in subject positions across languages. We claim that unlike English Nominative Case, C, rather than the finite T, is relevant to ga-marking in Japanese. We further argue for A'-properties of Japanese ga-marked subjects with emphasis on the parallelism between the ga-kara alternating constructions in Japanese and the preverbal and postverbal subject constructions in Greek and Catalan. In Section 3 and 4, based on our different subject positions, we propose a new scope system in terms of a syntactic unit called phases. It is demonstrated that the matching operation is subject to the PIC proposed in Chomsky's (2001) Derivation by Phase, using various scope facts in both English and Japanese, including Double Object Constructions (henceforth DOCs). It is claimed that scope calculation can be derivationally determined in narrow syntax with only existent basic implements for sentence building, that is, match and PIC. Section 5 has a conclusion. 2� The Position of Ga-Marked Subjects in Japanese Section 2 discusses the different status of the Nominative subject in English and the ga-marked subject in Japanese with the conclusion given in (1). (1) a. English Nominative subjects are licensed by T and placed in the TP-layer with A-properties. b. Japanese ga-marked subjects are licensed by C and placed in the CP-layer with A'-properties. 2.1 Japanese Ga-Marked Subjects Function as A'-Binders: Fukui (1984, 1986) Fukui (1984) claims that Japanese Nominative subjects show A'-properties in team of zibun-binding and Safir's Parallelism Constraint on Operator Binding (henceforth PCOB). Zibun 'SELF' can refer not only to subjects as in (2a), but also to gapless Topic phrases, as in (2b), and relative head nouns, as I The term Fq i borrowed from Watanabe (1998). uant _S 134 in (2c). These positions are considered as typical A'-positions. (2) a. ga-subject Johnrga Mary-ni zibun; no imooto-o syookai-si-ta. John-Nom Mary-to SELF-Gen sister-Acc introduce-do-Past `John introduced SELF's sister to Mary.' b. gapless topic Sono hahaoyarwa [ zibun;-no� musuko-ga sinde simatta]. the mother-Top� SELF-Gen son-Nom� `As for the mother;, SELF i's son died.'�die-Past (Fukui 1984: 37) c. relative clause head [s Zibunrno� hahaoya-ga kinoo� …

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