A movement theory of control PRO (linguistics)

1 movement theory of control

1.1 working assumptions
1.2 obligatory control movement
1.3 non-obligatory control pro
1.4 criticism

a movement theory of control

norbert hornstein has proposed control verbs can explained without resorting pro, , such pro can done away entirely. theory explains obligatory control movement, , non-obligatory control pro (little pro). alternative theory of control in part motivated adherence minimalist program.

working assumptions

the movement theory of control predicated on following principles.

the idea introduced in (23d) of particular importance single dp/np-chain can acquire more 1 θ-role simultaneously satisfying θ-criterion across multiple positions, e.g. subject of non-finite embedded clause , subject of matrix verb. in context chain refers argument has moved , of traces. hornstein argues there insufficient empirical evidence chain must restricted single θ-role , allowing multiple θ-roles per chain null hypothesis.

obligatory control movement

these principles allow control verbs explained movement , had been analyzed pro instead treated trace of dp/np-movement. consider example in (24): derive (24a) dp john moves through several positions, , checks θ-role @ each landing site; shown in (24b). in way, chain of johns satisfies agent θ-role of verb hope, agent θ-role of verb leave. in movement analysis, multiple θ-role assignment same work allowing obligatory control of pro subject.

non-obligatory control pro

with need pro eliminated under obligatory control, hornstein argues follows naturally pro should altogether eliminated theory equivalent little pro. in particular, little pro equivalent indefinite or definite pronoun (similar english one) , has same distribution non-obligatory control pro. non-obligatory control, overt embedded subject may introduced (25) or omitted (26), , omitting embedded subject may result in arbitrary reading. additionally, overt subject may not moved out of embedded clause, (27).

in addition, non-obligatory control , movement in complementary distribution. since non-obligatory control occurs when movement not permitted, may treated elsewhere case: little pro inserted last resort measure rescue derivation if overt subject missing.

criticism

since publication of movement theory of control data has been discussed not explain, challenging completeness of movement theory of control.

imoaka argues scrambling out of split control clause incompatible movement theory of control constructed in japanese takano , fujii. imoaka argues theory of equi-np deletion explain control , claims such theory empirically superior explains problematic data data explained movement theory of control.




^ cite error: named reference hornstein 1999 invoked never defined (see page).
^ cite error: named reference radford 2004 invoked never defined (see page).
^ imoaka, ako (2011). scrambling out of control clause in japanese: argument against movement theory of control . university of pennsylvania working papers in linguistics. 1. 17. retrieved 27 october 2014.  |article= ignored (help)
^ takano, yuji (2009). scrambling , nature of movement (pdf). nanzan linguistics. 1. 5: 75–104. retrieved 30 october 2014. 
^ fujii, tomohiro (2006). theoretical issues in japanese control (pdf) (ph.d.). university of maryland. retrieved 30 october 2014.