Syntax Week 2: Constituency Tests and Psrs 2 Constituency Tests SWU LI 712 Meagan Louie January 2018 English Constituency Tests

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Syntax Week 2: Constituency Tests and PSRs 2 Constituency Tests SWU LI 712 Meagan Louie January 2018 English Constituency Tests

1 Introduction 1. The Movement Tests

• A Hierarchical Theory of Syntax: 2. The Replacement (pro-form) Test

1. Words combine to form (sub-sentential) groups of words called 3. The Coordination/Conjunction Test phrases/constituents 4. The Sentence-Fragment Test 2. Sentences are formed from phrases/constituents 5. The Deletion (omissability) Test S

NP VP 2.1 Movement Tests D Adj Adj N V PP A MOVEMENT TEST: The Cleft Construction The quick brown fox jumped P NP

CLEFT TEMPLATE: It wasX Clefted Constituent that Y. over D Adj N You can cleft almost any constituent in a sentence. the lazy dog Let’s use the following as an example: S The frog ate his lunch on the log at noon very quickly.

D Adj Adj N V P D Adj N The frog ate his lunch on the log at noon very quickly. The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog (1) a. It was [the frog]i thatt i ate his lunch on the log at noon very quickly. • Chomsky 1957: b. It was [on the log]i that the frog ate his lunch ti at noon very quickly. . 3. phrases are formed via phrase-structure rules c. It was [his lunch]i that the frog ate ti on the log at noon very quickly. d. It was [at noon]i that the frog ate his lunch on the log ti very quickly. • Constituency, like lexical categories, are empirically based e. It was [v. quickly]i that the frog ate his lunch on the log at noon ti. - i.e., they account for certain kinds of grammaticality judgements f. *It was [frog ate]i that the ti his lunch on the log at noon very quickly. • Q: How do we generate these kinds of grammaticality judgements? g. *It was [log at noon]i that the frog ate his lunch on the ti very quickly. h. *It was [lunch on the]i that the frog ate his ti log at noon very quickly. • A: Using constituency tests!

1 A MOVEMENT TEST: The Pseudo-Cleft Construction texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext PSEUDOCLEFT TEMPLATE: X is who/what/why/where/when Y. texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext

You can pseudocleft almost any constituent in a sentence: (4) Amelia beat up her brother. The frog ate his lunch on the log at noon very quickly. . H1: NP [[V P] NP] or H1: NP [V [P NP]]?

S S

(2) a. [The frog]i is whot i ate his lunch on the log at noon very quickly. NP VP NP VP b. [His lunch]i is what the frog ate ti on the log at noon very quickly.

c. [On the log]i is where the frog ate his lunch ti at noon very quickly. Amelia V NP Amelia V PP

d. [At noon]i is when the frog ate his lunch on the log ti very quickly. V P her brother beat P NP e. [Very quickly]i is how the frog at his lunch on the log at noon ti. beat up up her brother f. *[Frog ate]i is WH he ti his lunch on the log at noon very quickly. g. *[Log at noon]i is WH he frog ate his lunch on the ti very quickly. What sort of cleft would you predict is grammatical for H1? → h. *[Lunch on the]i is WH the frog ate his ti log at noon very quickly. . For H2? What sort of pseudocleft would you predict is grammatical for H1? → . For H2? (3) Amelia likes flying planes. . H1: NP [[V V] NP] or H1: NP [V [V NP]]? texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext S S texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext NP VP NP VP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext Amelia V NP Amelia V VP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext V V planes likes V NP he assive onstruction likes flying flying planes A MOVEMENT TEST: T P C What sort of cleft would you predict is grammatical for H1? PASSIVE TEMPLATE: → . For H2? BE(Auxiliary verb) Past Participle What sort of pseudocleft would you predict is grammatical for H1? z}|{ z }| { → THEME was/is ..... V en/ed (by AGENT). . For H2? − texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext The ’Passive Construction’ targets the THEME constituent texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext (which is the OBJECT in the ’active’, but the SUBJECT in the ’passive). texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext

2 1. The frog ate his lunch [His lunch] was eaten by the frog 2.2 The Replacement (pro-form) Test → 2. Scooby foiled my evil plan. [My evil plan] was foiled by Scooby. → QUESTION 3. Socrates corrupted the youth of Athens. Can you replace the string of words with proforms like [The youth of Athens] was corrupted by Socrates. → 1. ”he, ”she,” ”it” ”them” (for DP constituents, “one” for NP constituents), 4. Jane sent a letter to Bingley [A letter] was sent to Bingley by Jane (Direct Object) 2. ”did” for (VP consituents) and → [Bingley] was sent a letter by Jane. (Indirect Object) a → 3. ”here” or ”there” (for PP constituents) ?

Q: Does Thai have Movement Tests for constituency? If so, this suggests that string of words is a constituent

a 1. (Pseudo)cleft constructions? This only works for PPs that denote locations, of course.

2. Topicalization? (5) a. Mehmed II [conquered Constantinople] when he was 23 years old. 3. Passive? (for both objects of ditransitives?) b. (How many people conquered Constantinople?) Mehmed II [did so] when he was 23 years old. 4. Others?

If these tests exist, are they restricted to particular types of constituents? (6) a. The fall of Constantinople [allowed the Ottomans to advance into Europe without an adversary to their rear.] texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext b. (What could allow the Ottomans to advance into Europe without an adver- texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext sary to their rear?) The fall of Constantinople [did so] texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext (7) a. The fall of Constantinople allowed the Ottomans to advance into Europe texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext without an adversary to their rear. texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext b. The fall of Constantinople allowed the Ottomans to advance there without texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext an adversary to their rear. texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext (8) Hagrid’s brother’s friend texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext . H1: [ [DP ‘s DP] [ ‘s NP ]D’ ]DP or H2: [DP [ ‘s [DP ‘s NP ]DP ]D’ ]DP? texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext DP DP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext DP D’ DP D’ texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext Hagrid’s brother D NP Hagrid D DP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext ‘s friend ‘s brother’s friend

3 What sort of replacement-sentences would you predict are grammatical for 2.3 The Coordination/Conjunction Test → H1? For H2? The CONJUNCTION/COORDINATION Test texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext “And/Or” takes two phrases of the same category, and yields a phrase of that texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext category: texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext . [NP and NP]NP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext . [VP and VP]VP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext . [AdjP and AdjP]AdjP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext i.e., if a string of lexical categories ABC can be conjoined with “and/or,” that texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext provides evidence that ABC is a constituent

What about the Thai approximation of the sentence? Do you think it has the same (9) a. I stealthily stole [the diamondsNP and the rubiesNP] structure? Does the pronoun replacement test give the same results? b. *I stealthily [stoleV and the diamondsNP] texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext c. I [stealthily stole the diamondsVP and clumsily dropped the rubiesVP] texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext d. I [stealthilyAdjP and ﬂawlesslyAdjP] stole the diamonds] texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext (10) a. Hermione bought the orange cat texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext b. Hermione bought the [orange cat and expensive book] c. Hermione bought the [orange cat or expensive book] Q: Does Thai have Pro-Form Replacement Tests for constituency? • Recall: Our oldNP (D) (Adj) N, couldn’t account for this data! 1. Is there a VP-proform? → • We proposed a revision, introducing a new N’-constituent: 2. NP-proform? .NP (D) N’ → .N’ Adj N 3. Others? → NP NP If these tests exist, are they restricted to particular types of constituents? D Adj N D N’ texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext the orange cat the Adj N texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext orange cat texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext (11) Amelia beat up her brother. texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext . H1: NP [[V P] NP] or H1: NP [V [P NP]]?

4 S S texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext

NP VP NP VP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext Amelia V NP Amelia V PP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext

V P her brother beat P NP texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext beat up up her brother texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext What sort of conjunction sentences would you predict is grammatical for H1? → For H2? 2.4 The Sentence Fragment Test texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext QUESTION texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext Can the string of words stand alone as the answer to a question? texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext If so, this suggests that string of words is a constituent texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext

(12) Murray’s villainous uncle cackled evilly about his nefarious scheme in his re- Q: Does the Coordination test work in Thai? mote castle on the cliﬀ’s edge. If so, does it work for all types of constituents?

1. NP? (13) a. Whot cackled evilly about his his nefarious scheme in his remote castle on the cliﬀ’s edge? ([Murray’s villanous uncle]NP) 2. VP? b. What did Murray’s villainous uncle cackle evilly aboutt in his remote castle

3. N’? on the cliﬀ’s edge? ([his nefarious scheme]NP)

4. AdjP? c. How did Murray’s villainous uncle cacklet about his nefarious scheme in his remote castle on thte cliﬀ’s edge? ([evilly] ) Note: Not all languages allow all types of conjunction. Eg., in Blackfoot, AdjP conjunction is only allowed with DPs and CPs. d. What did Murray’s villainous uncle do in his remote castle on the cliﬀ’s

edge? ([cackle evilly about his nefarious scheme]VP) texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext e. ??What did Murray’s villainous uncle do about his nefarious scheme in his texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext remote castle on the cliﬀ’s edge? (??[cackle evilly]VP) texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext f. Where did Murray’s villainous uncle cackle evilly about his nefarious scheme texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext t?([in his remote castle on the cliﬀ’s edge]PP)

5 (14) Amelia beat up her brother. 2.5 The Deletion (omissability) Test . H1: NP [[V P] NP] or H1: NP [V [P NP]]? QUESTION S S Can the string of words undergo deletion? If so, this suggests that string NP VP NP VP of words is a (modifying/non-argument) constituent

Amelia V NP Amelia V PP

V P her brother beat P NP (15) a. The fall of Constantinople allowed the Ottomans to advance into Europe without an adversary to their rear. beat up up her brother b. The fall of Constantinople allowed the Ottomans to advance into Europe What sort of Question-Fragment exchanges would you predict to be gram- → without an adversary to their rear. matical for H1? For H2?

texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext (16) a. Murray’s villainous uncle cackled evilly about his nefarious scheme in his texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext remote castle on the cliff’s edge. texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext b. Murray’s villainous uncle cackled evilly about his nefarious scheme in his texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext remote castle on the cliff’s edge texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext c. Murray’s villainous uncle cackled evilly about his nefarious scheme in his texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext remote castle on the cliff’s edge

d. Murray’s villainous uncle cackled evilly about his nefarious scheme in his Q: Does the Sentence-Fragment test work in Thai? remote castle on the cliﬀ’s edge If so, does it work for all types of constituents?

texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext Q: Does the Deletion/Omission test work for adjuncts in Thai? texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext texttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttexttext

6 ASSIGNMENT 2: Using Constituency Tests (18) H1: Independent Adverbs H2: [duaj kan ]Adv Constituent

For this homework assignment, come up with a data question; the data ques- VP VP tion should be about two possible constituency structures. You will apply VP Adv VP Adv constituency tests, and show how the results of these constituency tests either (i) support, or (ii) provide counter-evidence for the relevant structures. VP Adv kan khˇaotham dˆuaj kan

1. Introduction khˇaotham dˆuaj (Introduce the phenomenon, use examples to illustrate)

2. Hypotheses (19) Thai Middle Constructions [NPtheme V ADV] (Inghongsa 2016) (Present different possible constituency structures for the phenomenon ) a. บล็อก ทำ ไมè ยาก คèะ blÓk thaam majˆ jaakˆ kha` 3. Diagnostics painting.block make neg difficult pr.part (Apply some constituency tests, and explain how they provide evidence “Painting blocks aren’t difficult to make.” for, or against, the proposed structures ) b. ไบโอเดอรìมา ใชé ดี จริง ๆ 4. Conclusion baiood@@maaˆ chai´ dii ciNciN (Summary, Unresolved Issues) Bioderma use good really 5. References “Bioderma works (lit. uses) really well.” In-line citations if you consult outside resources!!!) c. ขนม นื้ กิน ดี khanomˇ n´ıi kin dii Each student must choose a distinct research question! snack this eat good “This snack is tasty to eat.”

3 Constituency Research Questions • Q: Does the verb form a constituent with the NPtheme subject, or with the adverb? - ie., [NP V] Adv vs [NP] [V Adv] - What do constituency tests suggest? (17) Reciprocal use of กัน kan S S a. เขา รัก กัน b. เขา ใกลé กัน c. เขา คุย กัน khˇao rák kan khˇao klâi kan khˇao khuj kan NP PredP NP VP 3.pro love kan 3.pro close kan 3.pro chat kan “They love each “They’re close to “They chat with NP V Pred AdvP ไบโอเดอรìมา V AdvP other.” each other.” each other” ไบโอเดอรìมา ใชé ดี จริง ๆ ใชé ดี จริง ๆ ∅ • Q: Do dûaj and kan form an adverbial constituent? Or are they independent adverbs? What do constituency tests suggest?

7 (20) Thai con-constructions [NP V NP con PRED] (Chawwachart In Prep) 4.1 Properties of Phrase Structure Rules (PSRs)

a. ฉัน ผลัก เขา จน ลéม Constituent formed by the PSR chanR phlakL khawR con lomH z}|{ I push him con fall “I pushed him until he fell down.” 1. A B mmC b. เขา กระแทก ประตู เปด → | {z } khawR kraLtEkF praLtu p@dL Components of constituent he slam door open 2. The elements in parentheses in a PSR are optional “He slammed the door open.” .NP (D) (Adj) N → • Q: Does จน ลéมลง [con lomHloN] form a constituent with เขา khawR, or does it combine with the VP? What do constituency tests suggest? (21) a..[Cheese] is made from milk. VP VP b..[Soft cheese] is dangerous for pregnant women. c..[The cheese] is expensive. V SC VP XP d..[The aged cheese] has a sharp ﬂavour.

ผลัก NP SC’ V NP จน VP 3. The elements not in parentheses in a PSR are required .VP V (NP) → N จน VP ผลัก N ลéม (22) a. I [read a book] เขา ลéม เขา b. *I [a book] c. *I []

4 Phrase Structure Rules 4. PSRs are both productive and restrictive – Any sentence generated by the PSRs is grammatical in L • Observation: Not all sequences of words can be constituents; some sequences are much more common than others – Only sentences generated by the PSRs are grammatical in L Different PSRs make different predictions about word-order 1.“ The fluffy duck quacked.”D ADJNV → 2.“A funny student smiled.”D ADJNV 5. Each language, L, has its own set of PSRs 3.“ This cheap teacup cracked.”D ADJNV English PSRs French PSRs 4.“I heard the fluffy duck .” ProVD ADJN S NP (Vaux) VP S NP (Vaux) VP → → NP (D) (Adj)N NP (D) (Adjsize) N (Adj) 5.“I broke this cheap teacup.” ProVD ADJN → → VP V (NP) VP V (NP) mm→ mmn→ • To account for these patterns, we use phrase-structure rules (PSRs)

8 { } { } Japanese PSRs Thai PSRs References

S NP VP Chawwachart, Alisa. In Prep. The Syntactic and Semantic Status of con in Thai. → NP (Adj)N ? → Bangkok, Srinakharinwirot University, MA thesis. VP (NP) V mm→ mm Chomsky, Noam. 1957. Syntactic structures. Walter de Gruyter. 6. PSRs combine with (language-speciﬁc) lexical rules { } { } Inghongsa, Kanokwanwalai. 2016. The Syntactic Analysis of Sentence-Initial Inani- .N cat, dog, cheese, chair, ... → { } mate NPs in Thai: Middle and Topic Constructions. Bangkok, Srinakharinwirot . Adj red, hungry, hot, cold, ... → { } University, MA thesis. . ...

PSR Set I

1.S NP (aux) VP 4.PP P NP → → 2.NP (D) (Adj) N 5.NP NP PP → → 3.VP V (NP) (PP) 6.VP VP PP → → What does the above set of PSRs predict about the constituency of sentences like “She beat up her brother” or “She knocked over the lamp”?

What PSRs would you have to propose to derive the other structure?

(23) Amelia knocked over the lamp. . H1: NP [[V P] NP] or H1: NP [V [P NP]]?

S S

NP VP NP VP

Amelia V NP Amelia V PP

V P the lamp knock P NP

knock over over the lamp