Strict vs. Free word order patterns in korean nominal phrases and cyclic linearization

Abstract

Korean nominal phrases display both flexibility in their internal word order and also rigidity in the sequencing of certain elements. This paper focuses on a linear ordering constraint on the occurrence of arguments of nouns which requires a strict relative sequencing of such elements, no matter where they are distributed across different locations within DPs. The paper suggests that the most appropriate mechanism to capture the complex patterns observed is Fox and Pesetsky’s (2005) Cyclic Linearization approach, which records and compares the linear ordering of elements across different Spell-out domains. It is argued that the patterns found in Korean can be successfully captured in a Cyclic Linearization analysis if it is assumed that Korean nominal projections consist in two Spell-out domains–DP and nP – in a way resembling the bi-cyclic composition of clauses, and that Korean provides novel support from the syntax of nominal phrases for Cyclic Linearization, originally motivated by patterns found in clausal domains.