Indexing metadata

Syntax is Optimality-theoretic


 
Dublin Core PKP Metadata Items Metadata for this Document
 
1. Title Title of document Syntax is Optimality-theoretic - Harmonic Minimalism
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Andrew Murphy; University of Leipzig; Germany
 
3. Subject Discipline(s) Linguistics
 
4. Subject Keyword(s) optimality theory; phonology; harmonic grammar; syntax;
 
5. Subject Subject classification Optimality Theory; Phonology
 
6. Description Abstract This introductory chapter lays the groundwork for the rest of the book. It will present an overview and justification of the optimality-theoretic approach to syntax. The chapter proceeds by first introducing the basic premises of Optimality Theory and the notion of violable constraints and competition. Subsequently, some of the major arguments that have been forward in favour of phonology will be shown to also hold for syntax. Novel arguments for neutralization come from complementizer-trace effects and R-pronoun doubling in German (Hein & Barnickel 2018), conspiracies are shown to hold for the C-domain in German and Distinctness effects (Richards 2010). Additionally, arguments for Heterogeneity of Target/Homogeneity of Process (HoT/HoP effects) come from PCC effects and mirrors arguments for such effects in hiatus repairs in phonology. Finally, gradient repairs are found with wh-movement in Romanian, analogous to the classic analysis of infixation in Tagalog proposed by Prince & Smolensky (1993/2004). In putting forward the case of OT syntax, this chapter will hopefully be the first step to convincing the skeptical syntactician reader that an optimality-theoretic approach to syntax is indeed justified.


 
7. Publisher Organizing agency, location Equinox Publishing Ltd
 
8. Contributor Sponsor(s)
 
9. Date (YYYY-MM-DD) 01-Oct-2026
 
10. Type Status & genre Peer-reviewed Article
 
11. Type Type
 
12. Format File format PDF
 
13. Identifier Uniform Resource Identifier https://journals.equinoxpub.com/index.php/books/article/view/40307
 
14. Identifier Digital Object Identifier 10.1558/equinox.40307
 
15. Source Journal/conference title; vol., no. (year) Equinox eBooks Publishing; Harmonic Minimalism
 
16. Language English=en en
 
18. Coverage Geo-spatial location, chronological period, research sample (gender, age, etc.)
 
19. Rights Copyright and permissions Copyright 2014 Equinox Publishing Ltd