On the syntactic symmetry of coordinate structures
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36505/ExLing-2024/15/0027/000652Keywords:
coordinate structures, symmetry of coordination, Thermometer Method, acceptability judgement taskAbstract
This paper examines the syntax of coordinate structures, focusing on the debate between asymmetric and symmetric approaches. Asymmetric theories argue that the first conjunct heads the coordination and determines its distribution. They seem to be supported by examples where predicates like annoy and depend govern mixed-category coordinations (e.g., NP and CP). Through acceptability judgement experiments, we challenge this argument on the basis of an alternative analysis where such structures involve a coordination of a PP and a CP. Using the Thermometer Method, we find that 2 out of 8 tested predicates (e.g., annoyed) accept CP complements as readily as PP complements, while others show reduced acceptability but not outright ungrammaticality. Additionally, the difference in acceptability between purportedly grammatical PP&CP coordinations and ungrammatical CP alone is marginal. These results debunk a key argument for asymmetric theories and provide empirical support for symmetric approaches to coordination.
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