The simple generator

  • I argue that the shift of explanatory burden from the generator to the evaluator in OT syntax – together with the difficulties that arise when we try to formulate a working theory of the interfaces of syntax – leads to a number of assumptions about syntactic structures in OT which are quite different from those typical of minimalist syntax: formal features, as driving forces behind syntactic movement, are useless, and derivational and representational economy are problematic for both empirical and conceptual reasons. The notion of markedness, central in Optimality Theory, is not fully compatible with the idea of synactic economy. Even more so, seemingly obvious cases of blocking by structural economy do not seem to result from grammar proper, but reflect (economical) aspects of language use.

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Metadaten
Author details:Ralf Vogel
URN:urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-32338
ISSN:1616-7392
ISSN:1864-1857
Title of parent work (German):Linguistics in Potsdam
Publication type:Article
Language:English
Publication year:2006
Publishing institution:Universität Potsdam
Release date:2009/06/24
Tag:OT syntax; generator; markedness; syntax-phonology interface; syntax-semantics interface
Issue:25
First page:99
Last Page:136
RVK - Regensburg classification:EQ 3310
Organizational units:Humanwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Strukturbereich Kognitionswissenschaften / Department Linguistik
DDC classification:4 Sprache / 40 Sprache / 400 Sprache
Collection(s):Universität Potsdam / Schriftenreihen / Linguistics in Potsdam: LIP, ISSN 1864-1857 / LIP (2006) 25
Institution name at the time of the publication:Humanwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Institut für Linguistik / Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft
License (German):License LogoKeine öffentliche Lizenz: Unter Urheberrechtsschutz
External remark:
Zugleich in Printform erschienen im Universitätsverlag Potsdam:

Optimality theory and minimalism: A possible convergence? / Hans Broekhuis & Ralf Vogel (eds.) - Potsdam : Univ.-Verl., 2006. - vii, 231 S.
(Linguistics in Potsdam ; 25)
ISSN 1616-7392
ISBN 978-3-939469-54-4
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