Syntactic domain types and PF effects

Abstract

This chapter proposes a distinction between syntactic phases headed by C and D as final, in contrast to other non-final phases. Final phases act as stronger boundaries for head movement and provide final landing sites for A′-movement, but non-final phases, while still constituting spell-out domains, impose weaker boundaries. This chapter particularly investigates the phonological effects of final and non-final phases in Ojibwe, and the different processes that can apply at the spell-out of each type of domain. An analysis is provided for an ordering paradox between palatalization and apocope, which is claimed to be accounted for by reference to the syntactic structure and the timing of application of these processes at the spell-out of final or non-final phases.