Universal #1382
Legacy number: 1382
| Number | 1378 |
| Original | Head Noun Phrase Hierarchy: If an NP with head noun (phrase) N of semantic specificity n on the path from filler to gap is grammatical, then all head noun (phrases) N´ with less semantic specificity than N will also be grammatical. |
| Standardized | Head Noun Phrase Hierarchy: IF an NP with head noun (phrase) N of semantic specificity n on the path from filler to gap is grammatical, THEN all head noun (phrases) N´ with less semantic specificity than N will also be grammatical. |
| Keywords | filler, gap, NP, specificity |
| Domain | syntax, semantics |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute |
| Basis | English, Swedish, Norwegian (all Germanic, Indo-European) |
| Source | Hawkins 1999: 272 |
Discussion
Notes
1. The terms “filler” and “gap” are used for the moved element and its trace, respectively.2. An example for this hierarchy is given below (where > means ‘better than’): a. Who did you see a picture of? > b. Who did you see the picture of? > c. Who did you see John’s picture of?An NP with an indefinite head readily permits a gap in an of-complement. The definite head is worse, and a possessive modifier makes the filler-gap structure worst at all.3. Hawkins (1999: 271) claims that this hierarchy can be explained by the following processing preference: Reduced FGDs Semantically: The human processor prefers to minimize the amount of semantic information that needs to be processed in an FGD.
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2. An example for this hierarchy is given below (where > means 'better than'):
<table class ="textTable">
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td>a.</td>
<td> Who did you see a picture of?</td>
<td> > </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td>b.</td>
<td> Who did you see the picture of?</td>
<td> ></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td>c.</td>
<td> Who did you see John's picture of?</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</table> An NP with an indefinite head readily permits a gap in an of-complement. The definite head is worse, and a possessive modifier makes the filler-gap structure worst at all.
3. Hawkins 1999: 271: claims that this hierarchy can be explained by the following processing preference: Reduced FGDs Semantically: The human processor prefers to minimize the amount of semantic information that needs to be processed in an FGD.