A phase-theoretic analysis of object omission

In non-contrastive contexts, object DPs can be omitted to be defocused. While observed in different languages, Rizzi (1986) pointed out that object omission is more common in languages like Italian than in English and advocated the pro-drop parameter for this difference. However, the syntactic nature of English object omission does not seem to be explained properly by his parameter. In this paper, it will be proposed that object omission involves movement to the edge of vP, in parallel with p-movement, another defocusing phenomenon. The Phase Theory constrains defocusing. In addition, defocused DPs are optionally assigned null Case which makes them invisible to phonology. Null-Case assignment is parameterized. Finally, the possibility of minimizing the inventory of empty categories will be entertained.

Michael Leo Higgins 教授退職記念号