A multiple specifier approach to left.peripheral architecture

Abstract

In this paper I show that on closer inspection, implementing a cartographic approach to clausal architecture as a derivational minimalist analysis proves to be problematic. I propose an alternative analysis of the C-domain as a single CP with multiple specifiers; ordered merge operations result from hierarchy-driven handling of the feature hierarchy of C o . Some seeming counterevidence comes from languages in which left-peripheral heads seem to be overtly marked. I present arguments in favour of the view that these markers are not syntactic heads, but affixes on the displaced constituent. Furthermore, I argue that clause-initial complementisers followed by C-material are best analysed as a morphophonological phenomenon at the CP edge. They are dealt with within the framework of Distributed Morphology. Cross-linguistic variation in the phonological realisation of C-markers is accounted for by means of optimisation.

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