Description
TitleThe Simple Generator
PublisherUniversitätsverlag Potsdam
Date Created2006
Extent38 p.
DescriptionI 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.
NoteThe definitive version of this paper is published in Linguistics in Potsdam 25 (2006).
NoteVogel, R. (2006). The Simple Generator. In H. Broekhuis & R. Vogel (Eds), Linguistics in Potsdam 25. Optimality Theory and Minimalism: A possible Convergence? Potsdam : Universitätsverlag Potsdam
NoteThe work on this paper was partially supported by a grant for the research group “Conflicting Rules in Language and Cognition”, project A3, “Minimality in Optimality Theory”, FOR-375/A3.
GenreBook Chapter
LanguageEnglish
CollectionRutgers Optimality Archive
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
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