Natural Language & Linguistic Theory

, Volume 13, Issue 1, pp 135–172 | Cite as

Negation and verb second in Breton

  • Robin Schafer
Article
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Revised:

Abstract

This paper provides an analysis of Breton phrase structure and examines its consequences for the reformulation of the ECP in Rizzi (1990b). Particularly, I argue that subjects must be antecedent governed. I demonstrate that a number of aspects of Breton syntax, particularly subject agreement phenomena in V2 root clauses, are thus explained. In the course of the argument, I present an alternative to the standard analysis of a V2 language, in which I treat V2 not as an absolute characterization of a language containing certain rules, but rather as one relative to the instantiation of an abstract feature [Aff] (see Laka 1990) and the nature of C0 (Platzack 1986, Rizzi 1990a).

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence Standard Analysis Phrase Structure Abstract Feature Subject Agreement 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Kluwer Academic Publishers 1995

Authors and Affiliations

  • Robin Schafer
    • 1
  1. 1.Linguistics Board UCSCSanta Cruz

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