Linguistics 322

Exercise 7

Week 9

due 25 JL 01

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Download the latest version of the grammar (same name, same location--newer version.) Generate the following sentences:

had eaten two fresh bananas

was baking some spicy bread.

was (sic!) read few interesting books.

This section is delayed.


Draw a tree diagram showing the derivation of

(1)   "Has the woman been talking to the class?"

(Hint: the PP is immediately dominated by V2 and the external by V3 = VP.) [for credit]

 

  • This exercise is an exercise in your ability to solve problems. You now have enough tools at hand to solve the following problem. It is important that you do these, as there will be at least one of these on the final exam.
  • Compare the following VP and its related NP:

  • 1. construct the castle (They constructed the castle.)
  • 2. (the) construction of the castle.

  • The Logical structure (L-Structure) of 1. is "CONSTRUCT <goal: THE CASTLE>". Many linguists would argue that the L-structure of 2. is

  • CONSTRUCTION <goal: THE CASTLE>.

  • Let us suppose that they are correct. How would you derive 1. from the proposed L-structure? Defend your answer using what principles and what strategies that you know. Chomsky in (1981) claimed that only V and P ([-N]) assign Case. Don't be concerned here over the definite determiner. It is not related to anything in the verbal form. (Goal is a theta role referring to the final state of an object after it has been altered in some way.) (We have discussed all the tools necessary to complete this.) [credit]
  • Open up the following files and read them if you have not already done so:
      • Mood, negation, the feature strong, and argument assignment.
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  • This page updated 12 JL 2001.