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In inverted sentences, the two trees shown in Figure 20.4
adjoin to an S tree anchored by a main verb. The tree in
Figure 20.4(a) is anchored by the auxiliary verb and adjoins to
the S node, while the tree in Figure 20.4(b) is anchored by an
empty element and adjoins at the VP node. Figure 20.5 shows
these trees (anchored by will) adjoined to the declarative transitive
tree20.4 (anchored by main verb buy).
Figure:
Trees for auxiliary verb inversion: Vs (a) and Vvx (b)
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(a) |
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(b) |
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Figure 20.5:
will John buy a backpack ?
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The feature <displ-const> ensures that both of the trees in
Figure 20.4 must adjoin to an elementary tree whenever one of
them does. For more discussion on this mechanism, which simulates tree local
multi-component adjunction, see [#!hockeysrini93!#]. The tree in
Figure 20.4(b), anchored by ,
represents the
originating position of the inverted auxiliary. Its adjunction blocks the <assign-case> values of the VP it dominates from being co-indexed with the <case> value of the subject. Since <assign-case> values
from the VP are blocked, the <case> value of the subject can only be
co-indexed with the <assign-case> value of the inverted auxiliary
(Figure 20.4(a)). Consequently, the inverted auxiliary
functions as the case-assigner for the subject in these inverted structures.
This is in contrast to the situation in uninverted structures where the anchor
of the highest (leftmost) VP assigns case to the subject (see
section 4.4.3.2 for more on case assignment). The XTAG analysis
is similar to GB accounts where the inverted auxiliary plus the
-anchored tree are taken as representing I to C movement.
Next: Do-Support
Up: Auxiliaries
Previous: Non-inverted sentences
XTAG Project
1998-09-14