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Title Construction of Maximal Complementiser Phrase Projections by Binary Merger Operations: A Comparative Minimalist Study of Punjabi and English

Author(s) Mr. Abdul Rafay Khan

Abstract ABSTRACT Thesis Title: Construction of Maximal Complementiser Phrase Projections by Binary Merger Operations: A Comparative Minimalist Study of Punjabi and English Strong Minimalist Thesis, as proposed by Chomsky (2000), holds that language is an optimal solution to the legibility (interface) conditions. As a recent development in Universal Grammar, it assumes that language, a component of human mind, is a computational system CHL which meets the other systems of mind at their respective interfaces: Conceptual-Intentional (C-I) and Sensori-Motor (SM). CHL provides a mechanism for valuation of the features of lexical items which are un-interpretable at the interfaces. Rooted in Strong Minimalist Thesis, this study attempts to conduct a comparative study of the derivation of Complementiser Phrase (CP) projections in two languages: Punjabi and English. The theoretical framework is borrowed from Chomsky (2008) where CHL is based on a primary operation Merge and a secondary operation Agree which values the un-interpretable ϕ-features of T and v* and structural case features of the NPs under probe/goal relation. The derivation completes in two phases C and v*. This is an exploratory study which uses qualitative method of analysis. The data is collected from the authentic sources of grammar of both languages and divided into different types with respect to different categories (each constituting a separate section of analysis): vdef, v*, Tdef, Adjuncts, and wh-/k-expressions. The schematic derivation of a structure is presented in the form of set configurations. Rigorous analysis of the data yields that derivations with nominative subjects are obtained by somewhat similar mechanism in the two languages; however, the ergative subject derivations of Punjabi are obtained differently. Ergative is an inherent case sourced from v* to the third person subjects of unergative and transitive CPs in perfective derivations. The ergative case does not render v* inactive for further Agree. Unlike English, Punjabi is a wh-in-situ language where the apparent movement of k-expressions is not because of wh-dependencies. Based on key findings, this study proposes that owing to different assignment mechanisms a functional head (e.g., v*) may assign both structural and inherent case in one derivation. Furthermore, this study proposes the mechanism of an Internal Pair Merge which may contribute significantly for future cross linguistic studies aiming to resolve the free movement of certain constituents in different languages.

Type Thesis/Dissertation PhD

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2021-11-29

Subject English Linguistics

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