Phases

More about the book

This volume develops the framework of Phase Theory, initially introduced by Chomsky in 2000, with roots in the concept of the “cycle.” This notion encompasses broader ideas such as compositionality, locality, and economy conditions. In generative grammar, the cycle was concretized in the 1950s through the work of Chomsky, Halle, and Lukoff on stress, later expanded by Chomsky & Halle, Halle & Vergnaud, and applied to various linguistic areas including morpho-phonology, semantics, and syntax. Recent efforts have sought to refine the cycle, focusing on bounding nodes and barriers, supported by empirical evidence of step-by-step computation. Much research in minimalism has investigated the nature of phases and their significance in linguistic inquiry. Despite claims that phases correlate with natural interfaces, the defining properties of these domains remain unclear, particularly concerning their implications for language acquisition, variation, and evolution. This book addresses these questions, aiming to enhance our understanding of phases and the Faculty of Language. Contributions come from a range of scholars affiliated with various prestigious institutions, reflecting a collaborative effort to explore these complex linguistic phenomena.