英语that-语迹效应的最简句法分析

A Minimalist Account of the That-trace Effect in English

本文在最简方案的理论框架下,通过语段推导和特征核查分析英语中的that-语迹效应。当疑问词位于主语位置时,子句T的EPP特征需要通过从T到C的中心语移位进行核查。这一核查方式要求子句C的位置不能被that占据,从而导致that-语迹效应和标句词-语迹效应的出现,当疑问词位于宾语或者附加语位置时,T的EPP特征核查通过主语的论元移位完成,也就不会对C位置上的成分提出要求,从而造成子句中that出现或者隐现的两种可能。本文的分析同样可以解释意大利和西班牙中的that-语迹共现、意第绪语中的虚代词插入以及英语中的副词效应,体现较好的解释力。

Taking the Minimalist Program as its theoretical framework, this paper employs phasal derivation and feature checking to study the that-trace effect in English. If wh-words are in subject position, the checking of the EPP feature for the embedded T is realized through T-to-C head movement, which requires that C cannot be occupied by that, triggering the that-trace effect and the Comp-trace effect. If wh-words are in object or adjunct position, the checking of the EPP feature is realized through A-movement of the subject which poses no requirement on the C position. This way of EPP feature checking makes it possible for that to be either present or absent in embedded clauses. The analysis proposed in this paper also explains the absence of that-trace effect in Italian and Spanish, the expletive pronoun insertion in Yiddish, and the adverb effect in English, exhibiting explanatory adequacy.