Some Remarks on Linearization of Chains (J. Nunes, Linearization of Chains and Sideward Movement)

Abstract

In this section, I suggested that chain formation characterizes a derivational history of movement as well as representational syntactic objects. As a consequence, the c-command requirement is not necessary for the definition of Form Chain in (25). Under this view, chain is created every time when an element undergoes movement. In this sense, sideward movement is not a ‘special’ operation, as it can also create a nontrivial chain. Note that I assume the Copy + Merge theory of movement: namely, Move is not a primitive singulary operation of the computational system. Thus, even though movement and chain formation express the same type of relation, Brody's (1995) criticism can be circumvented.