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.
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.
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.