Antisymmetry and Leftness Condition: Leftness as anti-c-command

Authors
Citation
V. Bianchi, Antisymmetry and Leftness Condition: Leftness as anti-c-command, STUD LING, 55(1), 2001, pp. 1-38
Citations number
57
Categorie Soggetti
Language & Linguistics
Journal title
STUDIA LINGUISTICA
ISSN journal
00393193 → ACNP
Volume
55
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Pages
1 - 38
Database
ISI
SICI code
0039-3193(200104)55:1<1:AALCLA>2.0.ZU;2-U
Abstract
This paper proposes a restatement of the Leftness Condition on quantifier b inding in configurational terms in the framework of Kayne's (1994) Antisymm etry Theory. The Leftness Condition is reduced to an anti-c-command conditi on whereby a syntactic constituent that depends on a variable for its denot ation cannot asymmetrically c-command that variable. It is argued that this condition also constrains denotational equality between two R-expressions that independently denote the same referent, thus subsuming Principle C. Th is proposal yields a unified account of strong, weak, weakens, and secondar y crossover. I also take into account Culicover & Jackendoff's (1995) argum ent that binding is sensitive to Conceptual Structure superiority; I argue that in the framework of Representational Modularity (Jackendoff 1997) CS-s uperiority, asymmetric c-command, and PF precedence may correlate in virtue of correspondence rules. This suggests that the syntactic component may be thought of as mediating between the inherently linear nature of PF and the inherently recursive nature of Conceptual Structure.