Minimalist Theory Research Articles

Just pair‐merge

AbstractTwo structure‐building operations are currently posited in minimalist theory: an operation forming sets (set merge), and an operation forming ordered pairs (pair‐merge). I argue that pair‐merge is sufficient to generate syntactic relations, so set merge, also called simple merge, should be eliminated from syntactic theory on grounds of simplicity. This conclusion requires reevaluating the relationship between structure‐building and labeling of constituents for the expression of syntactic relations, because labeling plays a crucial role in this comparison of theories according to the simplicity metric. An existing labeling hypothesis, specifically Chomsky's Labeling Algorithm, is shown not to have any advantage claimed for it by comparison with the just pair‐merge hypothesis proposed here. An advantage of the only pair‐merge hypothesis is that it provides a more principled origin for the inherent asymmetry in the c‐command relation that does not follow from a theory that includes set merge.

Rawls, Truth, and Minimalism

The expressivist theory in metaethics has a historical lineage dating back to the work of the great philosopher David Hume. Among the major metaethical alternatives to expressivism are constructivist theories, theories that have an origin in the work of another great philosopher, Immanuel Kant. One of the best-known and most influential recent formulations of such a view is due to John Rawls. There has been a great deal of discussion of the relationship between expressivism and deflationary theories of truth. In stark contrast, there has been very little discussion of the relationship between constructivist theories and deflationary theories of truth. I argue that Rawlsian constructivists should adopt a minimalist theory of truth.

Spinoza’s Geometry of Affective Relations, the Body Politic, and the Social Grammar of Intolerance: A Minimalist Theory of Toleration

In this paper, we set out to show that the relationships between individuals, including the intersubjectivity inherent to the body politic, are also affective relationships, so as to reconstruct Spinoza’s minimalist theory of tolerance. According to Spinoza’s concept of affectivity and bodily life, affection refers to a state of the affected body and implies the presence of the affecting body, while affect refers to the transition from one state to another, taking into account the correlative variation of affective bodies, that is, the affect is always a passage or variation in the intensity of our power to exist and act — the increase or decrease, the favoring or the restraint of our power to exist and act. We argue that Spinoza’s geometry of affective relations decisively contributes to a political theory of democracy, insofar as it anticipates modern, liberal conceptions of tolerance.

The Status of English Modals Prior to Their Recategorization as T and the Trigger for Their Recategorization

This is an account of English modals that invokes their exceptional morpho-syntactic tense properties as original preterite-present verbs in order to explain their becoming T elements. Within the framework of minimalist theory, I argue that modal verbs in OE and ME (up to approx. 1470) have an exceptional syntactic status that con- sists in that they merge directly under v, whereas strong verbs merge as a stem-by-default prior to v, and weak verbs merge as a root with a vowel-by-default also prior to v. Modals necessarily differ from both strong verbs and weak verbs in their τ–licensing, whereas they share with the latter (with both strong verbs and weak verbs) φ–licensing. A specific Probe of T is in charge of the latter for all verbs in the language. Modals pass on to merge directly under T when v ceases to be a locus of interpretable τ–features. A symptom that v loses such a capacity is the loss of the Pret.1/Pret.2 ablaut distinction.

Optionality in the Expression of Indefiniteness: A Pilot Study on Piacentine

Optionality is an issue within the minimalist theory of language, in which the principle of the “last resort” does not admit competing options to express the same meaning. What is needed is a solid empirical base showing that apparently competing forms do specialize for some syntactic/semantic traits. Hence, the aim of this pilot study is to investigate optionality in the choice of competing indefinite determiners in Piacentine, an Italo-Romance variety spoken in north-western Italy. Sixteen native Piacentine speakers were presented with a questionnaire to collect linguistic data. Statistical analyses of the data were performed to seek correlations between the choice of the indefinite determiners and some syntactic/semantic traits that were controlled for. The results indicate that Piacentine displays four main determiners, labeled ART, di+art, bare di, and ZERO. ART and di+art are the most widespread determiners allowing both narrow and wide scope and occurring in all the investigated contexts. Bare di is instead the unmarked form for expressing non-existential indefiniteness in negative contexts and only has narrow scope. ZERO co-varies with bare di, and its use was strengthened by contact with Italian, preventing its loss, differently from French, which lost ZERO instead.

A Minimalist Theory of Appropriation

This paper offers a conditional defence of a minimalist theory of appropriation. The conclusion of its main argument is that, if people do enjoy a natural right to appropriate unappropriated resources, then that right is best understood as a derivative right that stems from a more fundamental natural right to self-preservation. If this conclusion is correct, then insofar as people have a natural right to appropriation, it is much more limited than it is usually assumed, as the minimalist theory places very stringent restrictions on both the amount of unappropriated resources each person has a right to appropriate and the use they can make of those appropriated resources. The conclusion of my argument can be either used as a premise in a modus tollens argument to be used against natural-right theories of property rights or as a premise in a modus ponens argument in favour of a broadly left-libertarian theory.

Improving Reading Skills of Tamil Words with The Use of Augmented Reality (AR)

This study was conducted to improve Tamil reading skills using augmented reality (AR) among Year 4 students. Accordingly, an integrated Tamil language e-module with Augmented Reality (AuRa-BT), based on the Universal Design for Agile Development model and minimalist theory was designed and developed. Before and after the e-module implementation, a survey was conducted using questionnaires and checklists as research tools. Questionnaires, and checklists were used as tools to verify of content and usability of AURa-BT module. Respondents of the study are 50 students and 8 teachers. Descriptive methods were used to analyze the data obtained. The overall study results show that the use of AURa-BT Module combined with Augmented Reality Technology can improve the reading skills of Tamil words among Year 4 students. The use of AuRa-BT shows an improvement in Tamil reading skills among Year 4 students. In general, this study shows that the use of augmented reality (AR) technology can easily attract students and teachers to improve Tamil word reading skills.

A Simple Theory of Argument Schemes

While there has been in depth discussion of many particular argumentation schemes, some lament that there is little to no theory underpinning the notion of an argumentation scheme. Here I shall argue against the utility of argument schemes, at least as a fundamental part of a complete theory of arguments. I shall also present and defend a minimalist theory of their nature—a scheme is just a set of proposition expressions and propositional functions. While simple, the theory contravenes several typical desiderata of argumentation schemes such as (i) aiding in the identification of enthymemes and (ii) keeping arguments constrained to a manageable taxonomy. So much the worse for the desiderata. Instead, I shall recommend focusing less on schemes and more on the component propositional functions.

The Extended Merge Hypothesis and the Fundamental Principle of Grammar

This paper discusses the main minimalist theory within the Minimalist Program, something I dub the (Weak) Merge Hypothesis (MH). (1) The (Weak) Merge Hypothesis (MH): Merge is a central G operation. I suggest that we extend (1) by adding to it a general principle that I dub the Fundamental Principle of Grammar (FPG). (2) The Fundamental Principle of Grammar (FPG): α and β can be grammatically related. (G-related) only if α and β have merged. Adding (1) and (2) gives us the Strong Merge Hypothesis. (3) The Strong Merge Hypothesis (SMH): All grammatical dependencies are mediated by Merge. SMH has some interesting consequences which the rest of the paper briefly reviews. Highlights include the Movement Theory of Construal, The Periscope Property on selection, as well as preserving the standard results from the Weak Merge Hypothesis.

The concept of money laundering: a quest for legal definition

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the concept of money laundering and explores the evolution and expansion of criminalization of predicate offences to the money laundering within the international anti-money laundering (AML) regime over the time. It proposes how to limit the size and scope of predicate offences in designing a balanced legal definition. Design/methodology/approach This paper opted a content analysis focussed on the criminalization aspect of offences to money laundering in the international AML regime under the United Nations Conventions (Vienna, Palermo and Corruption Convention) and Financial Action Task Force Standards. Findings This paper provides how the criminalization of money laundering has evolved and its definition expanded over the time. The international definition is widely drafted with wide range of predicate offences from proceeds of drug money to corruption, including terrorist financing and terrorist acts; however, the two phenomena – money laundering and terrorist financing are quiet distinct apart. This continual expansion of predicate offences quite leads legality issues such as over-criminalization and conflict with principles of criminal law. This paper suggests an approach to limit the size and scope of predicate offences to money laundering. Practical implications This paper includes implications for the development of a balanced approach in defining predicate offences through a qualitative limitation approach consistent with the minimalist theory of penalization of criminal law. Originality/value This paper attains an identified issue how the legal definition of the money laundering offence can be improved while considering rule of law and principles of criminal law concerns.

The Proper Formulation of the Minimalist Theory of Truth

Abstract Minimalism about truth is one of the main contenders for our best theory of truth, but minimalists face the charge of being unable to properly state their theory. Donald Davidson incisively pointed out that minimalists must generalize over occurrences of the same expression placed in two different contexts, which is futile. In order to meet the challenge, Paul Horwich argues that one can nevertheless characterize the axioms of the minimalist theory. Sten Lindström and Tim Button have independently argued that Horwich’s attempt to formulate minimalism remains unsuccessful. We show how to properly state Horwich’s axioms by appealing to propositional functions that are given by definite descriptions. Both Lindström and Button discuss proposals similar to ours and conclude that they are unsuccessful. Our new suggestion avoids these objections.

Clause-sensitivity of Inflectional Morphology in L2 English

Abstract: The Interface Hypothesis (Sorace, 2000) developed in line with the Minimalist theory of grammar (Chomsky, 1995 et seq.) supports the view of L2 acquisition that syntactic properties are acquired early while the acquisition of interface properties is delayed. One of the interface properties is inflectional morphology on English verbs, which involves subject-verb agreement at the syntax-morphology interface. Previous studies have revealed that for learners of L2 English, acquiring third person singular -s is harder than regular past -ed due to the absence of meaningless morphemes in L1. However, one question has been disregarded: Where in a clause are these morphemes inserted more successfully? Given that subordinate clauses are more complex than main clauses, this study examines the clause-sensitivity of L2 inflectional morphology. 44 Japanese university students learning English as L2 were asked to complete a grammaticality judgment test and write an essay about a specified topic. The learners’ inflection pattern was surveyed through the test scores and text analysis of the essays. Results show that -s tends to be omitted regardless of clause types, but -ed is omitted more frequently in complement clauses than main clauses. These are due to negative L1 transfer on L2 inflectional morphology and our findings imply the importance of clauses as meaningful units in L2 grammar instructions.
 
 Keywords: Clause-sensitivity, Inflectional morphology, L2 grammar instructions, The Interface Hypothesis.

Deflationary Theories of Properties and Their Ontology

ABSTRACT I critically examine some deflationary theories of properties, according to which properties are ‘shadows of predicates’ and quantification over them serves a mere quasi-logical function. I start by considering Hofweber’s internalist theory, and pose a problem for his account of inexpressible properties. I then introduce a theory of properties that closely resembles Horwich’s minimalist theory of truth. This theory overcomes the problem of inexpressible properties, but its formulation presupposes the existence of various kinds of abstract objects. I discuss some ways to reduce these existence assumptions, but ultimately suggest that deflationists can hardly avoid quantification over abstract objects of one sort or another. I conclude that property deflationism is perhaps not as deflationary as some philosophers want it to be, but that it’s still apt to call the position ‘deflationary’.

생물언어학 관점에서 본 Chomsky의 언어기제 연구

This study aimed to investigate Chomsky’s claims about the evolution of language from biolinguistic perspectives based on the minimalist theory since Hauser, Chomsky, & Fitch(2002) to Berwick & Chomsky(2016). I strived to catch up with the current issues on the language faculty including Merge and the lexicon. FLB was proposed as a derived uniquely human adaptation for language by many researchers in the other fields of study, while only FLN was proposed as uniquely human by Chomsky et al. The results from Moro’s experimental study(2015) also supported the autonomy of syntactic rules. To sum up, Chomsky’s studies were selectively reviewed and summarized from the viewpoint of the researcher who has studied 1990’s generative grammar, cognitive linguistics, second language acquisition and learning, and elementary English education.

MINIMALIST THEORY OF FICTION AND THE ICTHINKING® METHOD AS A BACKGROUND FOR NEW INSIGHTS TO AUTISM

The standard approach to conceptual understanding in the case of autism uses the distinction of abstract versus concrete thinking. This approach has its benefits but fails to explain all features of language use. For example, some concepts change their meaning in different contexts in contrast to concepts that are more rigid in their uses, such as mathematical concepts. This idea has its background in Minimalist theory of fiction (MTF), a theory that considers ‘skills to use words’ essential for understanding fiction, contrasting with theories that require pretending or make believe to understand fiction. From this background, the theory of Integrative Complexity (IC), and the method animating for practice, ICthinking®, can be of particular use to autistic people. The interventions develop meta-cognitive skills and are supportive of autistic people. From these starting points, we introduce new research hypotheses for developing educational methods especially for autistic people.
 
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Racionalidad teleológica legislativa y eficacia como éxito. Un panorama de dificultades

This article discusses a critical analysis of the formulation of the concept of effectiveness as success carried out by Liborio Hierro and of the possibility of evaluating the legislative teleological rationality through it. Based on an analysis of legislative activity and its product from the theory of legislation and a minimalist theory of collective action, it is argued that the concept of efficacy as success or effectiveness does not capture some characteristics of the activityof legislative assemblies; in particular, its collective agency, the diversity and conflict among its members, and the role of the rules that formalize the legislative procedure, focusing it on a text. It concludes with a correction to the concept of effectiveness as success of the laws and denying the possibility of evaluating, through this concept, the legislative teleological rationality.

Reduplication and the structure of nouns in Xining Chinese

In Xining Chinese, especially as used by older people, free nouns are always reduplicated, as a purely formal condition without any semantic effects. We argue that the reduplication takes place when an acategorial root is merged with a null nominal categorizer which copies the phonological matrix of the root, as an effect of a condition ruling out free monosyllabic nouns. When the condition is not independently satisfied, as in a compound or derived noun, reduplication is how the condition is met. Reduplication also occurs optionally in compounds or derived nouns. In conjunction with a minimalist theory of word formation, this will be shown to predict the distribution of reduplication in various contexts. For instance, the head of a compound can be reduplicated, but not the modifier, some affixes but not others permit reduplication of the base, non-compositional compounds do not allow reduplication, and so-called ‘bound roots’ (really, bound words) are not reduplicated. The phenomenon provides very strong evidence that simple content words are made up of an acategorial root and a categorizer which is often null, but can be overt in some languages, including Xining Chinese, where it is overt in nouns by virtue of reduplication.

A Synthesis of Nature and Abstraction: Unearthing Robert Smithson’s Minimalist Theory of Photography

Robert Smithson’s photography is commonly associated with conceptual art and its watershed critique of the apparatus’s documentary mode. On this basis, interpreters like Douglas Crimp, Craig Owens and Jeff Wall have all positioned Smithson as a key precedent to the expanded field of lens-based practice, keyed to the complex concept of the ‘picture’ that emerged following the artist’s death in 1973. However, a careful review of the artist’s work and writing reveals that his implicit theory of photography could also be meaningfully described as Minimalist – attuned to this quasi-sculptural movement’s concerns with the clarification and renewal of spatiotemporal perception. Smithson’s 1969 travelogue, ‘Incidents of Mirror – Travel in the Yucatan’, for instance, sets up a number of pointed equivalences between photography, Minimalist sculpture and select ancient Mesoamerican ritual objects designed – according to Smithson’s understanding – to expand perception onto new planes of space and time. In recent years, scholars such as Walter Benn Michaels have advanced the idea that Minimalism’s problematics offer key insight into late twentiet – century photography’s foremost questions regarding the nature of this technology and its presence effects, in particular those that have long been associated with its indexicality. As this article demonstrates, Smithson’s camera work engaged meaningfully with these same problematics, evincing a decidedly materialist yet radically expansive new conception of photographic picturing.

Philosophical investigations on integrative complexity

Integrative complexity (IC) refers to a psychological construct, a measurement, and an experience. As a construct IC refers to our less than conscious thinking style in the face of difference or disagreement, how we process information, make decisions, solve problems. The cross-culturally validated empirical measurement frame of IC has predictive values. ’Low IC’ indicates a simple thinking style that is rigid and closed, a ’tunnel vision’ way of thinking that cannot respect or recognize different dimensions or perspectives on a topic, predicting destructive conflict or violence. An increasingly complex thinking style is able to ’see the big picture’, to differentiate and then integrate different dimensions and perspective on topics, linking them in some way, predicting more peaceful outcomes to conflict. As an experience, IC refers to less or more awareness of thoughts, emotion, and physical states in self and others related to IC management. The IC Thinking Research Group (University of Cambridge) pioneered the ’operationalization’ of the IC measure into an educational method, program and professional practices. The coding system i.e. empirical measurement frame, has been developed further to take elaborative aspects into account. The two components of complex thinking, differentiation and integration can each be broken down in two sub-components, elaborative and dialectical. In order to clarify the pros and cons of integrative complexity theory and its further developments in IC Thinking, it is useful to investigate its philosophical background. The theory and its applications are essentially dealing with language and the skill to use words or concepts. However it should be noted that besides the skills an essential part of the theory and its applications deals with our unconscious processes that are not explicitly controllable. An alternative for a philosophy of language behind the theory of integrative complexity is to consider an application of the use theory of meaning to explain its central components. Minimalist theory of fiction (MTF) was developed to explain the philosophical problems of fiction, but can also be applied to integrative complexity. Using words in different situations requires an ability to read contextual cues in order to follow the correct rules for the uses of words in particular contexts [1] . From these philosophical grounds, the theory of integrative complexity (IC) appears as a totality of the language games people are playing. One may be limited to one game, which means separating oneself from others, considering this game to be ultimately defining the correct uses of words. When one recognizes alternative games going on, it means reaching higher levels of IC. What is crucial is that this does not require a person to reject their core beliefs, since they may still be true. This approach challenges IC theory to improve its coding system but also offers possibilities for further developments and applications. [1] This ability, ’sensitivity to context’, is a key part of the IC management capacity. Article visualizations:

연동문의 정형절과 비정형절 연구

The clause of serial-verb structure is the sentence that are consist of two verbs or over two verbs, many scholars have studied it for a long time, obtained some performance, but many problems still are in constant discussion. this paper according to the generation grammar`s minimalist theory, try to solve existing problems, and we are taking it one step further, also will study existence and generative processes in the clause of serial-verb structure. pro-drop language can omit the subject, and inverse subject and predicate each other, this is two parameters that judge the finite clause. we can omit subject in the clause of serial-verb structure, but the pattern of sentence have special sentence structure, because of this, can`t inverse subject and predicate in general. and to be based on specific language environment can recover elliptical subject. chinese time adverbs “已经, 正在, 将要” appear the time elements of movement occurrence, they can be put in front of the clause of serial-verb structure verb phrase V1. but can`t be used in front of the verb phrase V2. The current situation proposition appears the time elements of movement occurrence, too. they can be put in front of the clause of serial-verb structure verb phrase V1, or can be put in front of the clause of serial-verb structure verb phrase V2, only can`t be put in front of the clause of serial-verb structure one verb phrase. through the above-mentioned contents, we can know finite clause and infinite clause exist in the clause of serial-verb structure. according to the concept of the clause of serial-verb structure and the meaning of “VP1” and “VP2”, The clause of serial-verb structure can be devided with five types in general. between VP1 and VP2 in the clause of serial-verb structure have the order of movement occurrence, that is, there is only the relation of before and after time. the arguments of tree diagram don