A Minimalist Analysis of the Movement Paradox

Abstract

English systematically generates puzzling sentences where a that-P complement satisfying the c-selectional requirement of the verb causes unacceptability when displaced, and sentences where a that-P complement apparently violating the c-selectional requirement of the verb doesn't cause unacceptability when displaced, the core cases of the movement paradox in Bresnan's (1994) sense. The purpose of this paper is to propose a Minimalist analysis of such cases. After critically reviewing and pointing out problems in previous generative-transformational proposals, it presents a proposal based on typological characteristics of English compared with Korean, and a proposal where c-selectional properties are checked for linearization purposes. In this system, a that-P is introduced into syntax with a [FUNCTOR] feature, though not overtly realized, and c-selectional features are generally determined by canonical structural realization and function as requirements to be satisfied in linearization.