Yuji Takano

Nominative Objects in Japanese Complex Predicate Constructions: A Prolepsis Analysis

A novel analysis of nominative objects in Japanese complex predicate constructions is proposed. In this analysis the nominative object is identified with a proleptic object, an element that is base-generated in the matrix VP and binds a pro in the embedded clause. The analysis is shown to receive empirical support from the fact that the nominative object is disconnected from, and can have various relations with, the embedded clause. Related issues are also addressed, including those concerning the case, LF position, and thematic properties of the nominative object. This proposal leads to the claim that there are two types of prolepsis in Japanese, one where the proleptic object is accusative and another where it is nominative.

Illicit Remnant Movement: An Argument for Feature-Driven Movement

This article discusses previously unnoticed empirical effects of the operation Attract/Move F. Certain illicit cases of so-called remnant movement are accounted for if the primitive operation inducing move-ment is feature movement and all category movement is feature-driven, as is claimed by the Attract/Move F hypothesis. Since the relevant cases of illicit remnant movement remain unaccounted for under the traditional Move a hypothesis, which claims that the primitive opera-tion is category movement, the present discussion lends new empirical support to the feature-driven view of movement.

Scrambling and Control

This article argues for two points: that scrambling out of a control clause patterns with scrambling out of a finite clause and that obligatory control is derived by movement of the controller. The argument is based on hitherto unnoticed facts about binding effects with scrambling out of a control clause in Japanese. It is proposed that those facts can only be accounted for by looking at an interaction of long-distance scrambling and movement of the controller. It is also shown that the proposal has important consequences for the nature of scrambling, pronominal variable binding, and subject control.

How Antisymmetric Is Syntax

Since the emergence of Kaynes (1994) stimulating proposal for an antisymmetric theory of phrase structure and linear order, much work has been devoted to arguing for or against his theory as well as discussing its empirical predictions. As a result, for a number of phenomena involving rightward positioning, such as rightward adjuncts, heavy NP shift, extraposition, postverbal subjects, and postverbal constituents in OV languages, there now exist both an approach consistent with Kaynes theory (the antisymmetric approach) and another not consistent with it (the symmetric approach). In such a situation, it is often difficult to show on empirical grounds that one approach is superior to the other (see Rochemont and Culicover 1997). In what follows, I describe this situation with respect to two well-known phenomena in English: rightward positioning of adjuncts and heavy NP shift. For each of these phenomena, the symmetric and antisymmetric approaches have been proposed, and both approaches can correctly account for the data discussed in previous studies. Here, I examine the approaches from a novel point of view, showing that data involving the licensing of negative polarity items allow us to differentiate them and to decide which is the right one for each of the two empirical domains. Interestingly, the relevant facts lead to different conclusions for the two phenomena. The results have important implications for the antisymmetric view of syntax.

Coordination of Verbs and Two Types of Verbal Inflection

The author provides new evidence based on coordination of verbs concerning the analysis of verbal inflection in English and Japanese. The evidence supports the idea that whereas English finite verbs are fully inflected when entering syntactic derivation, Japanese verbs and their inflectional morphemes are separated in syntax and are merged in the phonological component. If so, Universal Grammar has both types of verbal inflection available for particular languages to employ

Affective communication aid using wearable devices based on biosignals

We propose a novel wearable interface for sharing facial expressions between children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their parents, therapists, and caregivers. The developed interface is capable of recognizing facial expressions based on physiological signal patterns taken from facial bioelectrical signals and displaying the results in real time. The physiological signals are measured from the forehead and both sides of the head. We verified that the proposed classification method is robust against facial movements, blinking, and the head posture. This compact interface can support the perception of facial expressions between children with ASD and others to help improve their communication.

The sound of smile: Auditory biofeedback of facial EMG activity

Abstract In this paper, a real-time interactive system for smile detection and sonification using surface Electromyography (sEMG) signals is proposed. When a user smiles, a sound is played. The surface EMG signal is mapped to pitch using a conventional scale. The timbre of the sound is a synthetic sound that mimics bubbles. In a user testing of smiling tasks, 14 participants underwent the system and are required to produce smiles under three conditions, i.e., auditory feedback with sonification, visual feedback with mirror, and no feedback. The impression of the system is evaluated through questionnaires and interviews with the participants. In addition, we analyzed the total amount of muscular activity and temporal envelope patterns of the sEMG during smiling. The questionnaire and interview showed that users felt that (1) the sonification system well reflects their facial expressions, and (2) the sonification system was enjoyable. The users also expressed that the auditory feedback condition is easier to smile with, as compared to the visual feedback or no feedback conditions. However, the analysis of sEMG did not provide a quantitative difference among the three conditions, which is most likely due to the experiment design, which lacks socially engaging settings.