Kleanthes K. Grohmann

Understanding Minimalism: Some architectural issues in a minimalist setting

Introduction Minimalism (at least as presented here) takes GB as its starting point. The reason for this is twofold. First, GB is a very successful theory of grammar with a very interesting theoretical structure and ample empirical coverage. The former property provides grist for the methodological concerns that minimalism highlights. The latter property permits discussion to move beyond mere methodology by setting empirical bars for prospective theories to clear. Second, GB is the most fully worked out version of a P&P-approach to UG. As such, considering a GB-style theory from the vantage point of minimalist methodological concerns is a good way of getting into substantive issues quickly. So, lets start! Section 2.2 will review the major architectural properties that are shared by most (if not all) incarnations of GB. Section 2.3 will then introduce some basic minimalist qualms with the GB-architecture of the grammar, focusing on its levels of representation and critically evaluating the evidence in favor of S-Structure (SS) and D-Structure (DS). The exercise of abolishing SS and DS will introduce some key minimalist themes and technical proposals, to be further explored in the subsequent chapters. The upshot of this chapter is a simplified architecture of the grammar consisting solely of the only true interface levels, Logical Form (LF) and Phonetic Form (PF). Section 2.4 will wrap up and sketch the picture of the grammar developed up to that point.