Title

The Linear Correspondence Axiom and the “Standard” X’-Schema

Author

Yafei Li

Genre

Article  

Pages

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Key words

Linear Correspondence Axiom, X’-theory, X°-movement

Abstract

      Contrary to the general interpretation that Kayne’s（1994）theory of the X’-structuredoesn’t permit intermediate projections（i.e., X’）, such projections are actuallyallowed in the theory, but only when the don’t have any sister node. In other words, X’ is possible only if it serves no structural function whatsoever. The way to avoid this strange conswquence is to exclude X’ node fro being c-commanders. In addition to keeping the desirable features of Kaynw’s theory , this modification has two related consequences. (1)It provides a way to represent the specifier and the adjuncts in a structurally different manner, a distinction with empirical support. (2)The resulting structure is almost isomorphic to the“standard”X’-theory, in contrast to Kayne’s rather substantial departure from it. Amore radical extension of this line of thinking is also explored, with both desirable implications on X°-movement and open issues to be worked out.