Copula, wh-trace, and the ECP in Mauritian Creole
| Autor: | Anand Syea |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 1997 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | ling. 35:25-56 |
| ISSN: | 1613-396X 0024-3949 |
| DOI: | 10.1515/ling.1997.35.1.25 |
| Popis: | Mauritian has a null (0) and overt form (ete) of the copula, which are in complementary distribution. The former occurs in the context of a following overt phrase, the latter in the context of a following wh-trace, although in root interrogative lacking overt functional categories, they are optional. The phenomenon is therefore similar to auxiliary contraction in English or copula deletion in Black English Vernacular. The paper examines the nature of this distribution and proposes a unified approach to the variable forms of the copula in these languages. It further explores the condition whereby the null form in Mauritian Creole becomes possible in root interrogatives and suggests that an optional V-I-C movement operates, which, if it applies, results in the copula being in C where it is followed by an overt phrase. The final part of the paper addresses the question of why the copula is overt in the context of a following trace. It is suggested, following a proposal in Aoun et al. (1987) on the licensing of traces, that wh-traces in Mauritian Creole require a visible head governor in order to satisfy the ECP. The paper lends support to Aoun et al.'s suggestion that the ECP be carved up so that its licensing condition applies at PF and its identification requirement at LF |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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