Dependency structures derived from Minimalist Grammars

Abstract

This paper provides an interpretation of Minimalist Grammars [16,17] in terms of dependency structures. Under this interpretation, merge operations derive projective dependency structures, and movement operations introduce both non-projectivity and illnestedness. This new characterization of the generative capacity of Minimalist Grammar makes it possible to discuss the linguistic relevance of non-projectivity and illnestedness. This in turn provides insight into grammars that derive structures with these properties. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.