Asymmetric Merge and Parataxis

Abstract

Abstract. I argue that syntactic phrase structure encodes three major asymmetries. The first represents the asymmetry between mothers and daughters that is called dominance, i.e. syntactic hierarchy. The second is the selectional asymmetry between sisters, which is translated into precedence in the phonological component. The third, called 'behindance', is an alternative for dominance, and represents parataxis. Parenthesis, coordination and apposition are analyzed on the basis of behindance. In our derivational model of grammar it is defined as a special type of inclusion that blocks c-command. It follows that parenthetic material can neither move toward the matrix, nor be bound by a constituent from the matrix. The syntactic asymmetry between first and second conjuncts is established theoretically and empirically in a new way.

Similar but different: investigating temporal constructions in sign language

“…9French a. By contrast, in asymmetric coordination, inverting the two conjuncts provokes a change in meaning, as shown in (10a) and (10b), such that the two events are not ordered with respect to each other anymore (Culicover & Jackendoff 1997;De Vries 2008). 10French a. Pierre achètera un portable et après Marie appellera sa maman.…”