Week 7 [2023-05-17 Wed]

We spoke about reconstruction.

To a first approximation, reconstruction (for binding) and crossover can be given a unified characterization in terms of the timing of binding:

Binding takes place prior to movement.

The system of Barker and Shan, dispenses with movement (though they have traces in the form of empty elements), yet is able to provide a straightforward account of both of these. As they treat relativization in the same manner as wh-movement, their system immediately deals with (the interaction between) reconstruction and crossover in relative clauses as well.

We have decided that we have gotten what we wanted out of this book, and are now shifting gears to one of the other topics interest was expressed in at the beginning of the semester, namely, the relationship between parser and grammar. To that end, we will begin with David Marr, who writes nicely about the levels hypothesis.

Reading for next time

Chapter 1 of Marr’s 1982 book