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Parametric Variation in NPI-Licensing and the Role of LF X-Movement Overview: Cross-linguistic differences in licensing conditions on Negative Polarity Items

Overview: Cross-linguistic differences in licensing conditions on Negative Polarity Items (NPIs) have been observed. [Difference A] Long-distance licensing of NPIs is possible in English unless an island intervenes ([1]: (1)), while Korean/Japanese (K/J) NPIs require a clause-mate Neg ([2]: (2)). [Difference B] K/J allow subject NPIs, while English does not ((3)). Although previous studies of Korean NPIs ([3], [4]) attribute these differences to the properties of chains formed by LF movement to [Spec NegP/AgrP], we argue that the Japanese NPI –sika is licensed by covert head-movement. We thus suggest that there is head-movement that does not feed PF (contra [5]). Previous analyses: [3] accounts for the two differences between English and K/J by proposing that [Spec, NegP] is an A'-position in English while it is an A-position in K/J. She argues that NPIs covertly move to [Spec, NegP]. [Diff. A] is derived because when a K/J NPI moves long-distance through the embedded [Spec, CP] ((4)a), it forms an improper chain A-A'-A ((4)b), while movement of English NPIs ((5)a) forms a legitimate A-A'-A' chain ((5)b). [Diff. B] is derived because overt movement of the subject bypassing [Spec, NegP] makes an improper A-A'-A chain in English ((6)) while forming a legitimate A-A-A chain in Korean ((7)). [4] also employs the argument based on improper chains, but rejects the idea that Neg projects NegP. Under [4]'s account, NPIs are licensed in [Spec, AgrP] (A-position) in Korean, and Neg is adjoined to the V head ((8)). New observations: Although the Japanese NPI-sika behaves in the same way as Korean NPIs with respect to [Diff. A/B], we show that [3] and [4]'s analyses of Korean cannot be extended to the analysis of –sika. (–Sika attaches to a constituent and is licensed by Neg, interpreted as 'not … except ...' See (9).) First, –sika can attach to adjuncts ((10)), which is unpredicted in the previous analyses. If the adjunct-sika phrase were licensed in an A-position ([Spec, NegP/AgrP]), it should form an improper chain consisting of A'-A (explicable given a ban on "comp" to non-"comp" movement originally in [6]: cf. [7]). Second,-sika can attach to heads. In (11)a, the scope of –sika is only the V-head, because it only means 'John only licked the juice (as opposed to drink the juice),' while in (11)b, the implication is 'John didn't do any activities other than to lick cough drops (as opposed to see the doctor, etc.).' The contrast …