Case Theory格理论.ppt

Case Theory; 1. Morphological Case and Structural Case ;1.2 Structural case is a kind of abstract case that is determined by the position occupied by the noun in a structure. No matter whether it is morphologically realized, structural case does exist. 1.3 Nominative case and accusative case. Nominative case is assigned to the noun in the subject position, while the accusative case is assigned to the noun in the object position, e.g. (3) John will submit his application to the director tomorrow. In the sentence, “John” is assigned nominative case, “his application” and “the director” is assigned accusative case, respectively.;1.4 Case assigners and Case assignment. V and P are case assigners. The accusative case is assigned under government relation, while the nominative case is assigned under Specifier-head agreement relation. In other words, accusative case is assigned by V or P, while nominative case is assigned by INFL (I in short). 1.5 Case filter. Every overt NP must be assigned abstract case. (4) * NP without Case;2. Subjects;; 3.1 An IP is transparent for an outside V when I has the feature [-Tense], in which case the subject will be assigned accusative case by the outside V, e.g.: (6) I believe [IP him to be a liar].;4. Raising constructions;5.1 The deep structure of the passive construction, e.g. (8) a. The vase is broken. b. e is broken the vase. 5.2 Conditions for the object NP to move to the subject position: No thematic role at the subject position; No Case is assigned to the object NP at the object position. 5.3 Case absorption The morphological change of the V in the passive construction absorbs the Case of the internal argument. As a result, the verb cannot assign thematic role to its external argument. ;6. Visibility ;7.1 The accusative case is assigned to the internal argument of the verb, which has the sisterhood with the verb. The verb and the object NP