Ordering and linearizing rightward movement

Author: Sabbagh, Joseph

Source: Natural Language and Linguistic Theory, Volume 25, Number 2, May 2007 , pp. 349-401(53)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This paper offers a novel solution to an old problem concerning Right Node Raising constructions—namely, that Right Node Raising constructions seem to involve an unbounded application of (Across-the-Board) rightward movement that flies in the face of certain locality constraints on movement generally, as well as the locality constraint on (simple) rightward movement in particular. Despite these apparent challenges, I argue in this paper that RNR constructions are in fact movement derived. I propose that the apparent unbounded nature of the movement involved in RNR follows from the simple fact that rightward movement is actually, in principle, an unbounded type of movement. I propose, in addition, to analyze those cases where rightward movement appears to be bounded as the result of a derivational constraint proposed in recent work by Fox and Pesetsky (2004) which demands that certain instances of movement be order preserving.

Keywords: Rightward movement; Right node raising; ATB-movement; Coordination; Linearization; Cyclic spell-out

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11049-006-9011-8

Affiliations: 1: Email: joseph.sabbagh@mail.mcgill.ca

Publication date: 2007-05-01