Syntax I
Here’s a worked out example for “My brother’s roommate kissed Fritz” sort of along the lines of what we did in class. It’s kind of complicated, but I hope it’s comprehensible. I didn’t put in the features, just the case assignment arrows and the movement arrows.
Hi everyone. Just to let you know, I’m still pondering what’s the best thing to do with homework #6. Even with the points cut in half to 17, small errors on those two trees were amplified more than I’d like in terms of point totals. I think I will do something, though. It might be making it worth even less (or dropping it altogether), or allowing a redo, possibly with different but nearly identical sentences. I’ll announce my plans here and in class on Tuesday when they are finalized.
Now that the Hierarchy of Projections for DP contains n, every DP has an nP within it. For homework #7, draw all of those. That means that there will be a lot of nPs. I expect that on homework #8, I will relent and allow triangles for some of these, but for homework #7 draw them all out.
Also, with respect to drawing the trees for the German sentences, the trees should be of the German sentences. So, in particular, the trees should contain German words.
Homework 6 has a strange status—I handed it out, then shortly afterwards said that all the NPs we’d seen before should actually be considered DPs.
Following the principle that a homework generally covers material up to the class during which it was handed out, you can use NPs on HW6.
But, on the other hand, feel free to use DP instead. The difference between them will not be something that the grader will be instructed to look at. And, it’s probably just as well that you start getting used to using DPs. So, I’d recommend using DP, but will also accept NPs, on HW6.
On future homework: DPs, all the time.
It’s just been called to my attention that homework #6 has a typo on it, in the example tree. The example is passive. Little v should not have a [uN*] feature on it. An unfortunate copy & paste error on my part.
You can download homework #6, v1.1, containing the corrected tree to take a look, though the change is small enough you might as well just make the change on your hardcopy. It’s also linked into the schedule page.
(Incidentally, we’ll talk about the passive at the beginning next time, we haven’t really talked about it yet. But, when we do, it should become clear that the original homework handout was in error.)
Hi everyone. Ok, I’ve gotten enough requests for extensions on homework 5 for various reasons that it is now officially due on Tuesday, Nov. 3. You may of course feel free to hand it in today if you’ve got it done and don’t want to fiddle with it anymore.
Along with this, I want to make a couple of changes to the homework schedule as well for the next couple of assignments, in order to accommodate the BUCLD. Ultimately, what’s basically happening here is that one homework is being removed from the total number (there will now be 9), and each future homework will be given out not less than 9 days before it is due. This is all plotted out on the schedule page.
Homework 6 will go out today as planned. It will be due the Tuesday after the BUCLD. The idea is to finish it before the BUCLD weekend, leaving your BUCLD weekend homework-free.
Same idea for homework 8: it’ll be given out the Thursday before US Thanksgiving, and will be due the Tuesday after the break. If you finish it before the break, your break will be homework-free.
Homework 7 and 9 will be given out on a Tuesday and be due in the Thursday of the following week.
If you want a more thorough example of Agree in action, you might take a look at the updated version of the Pat must not have been sending flowers to Chris derivation. You had a version of this (but without Agree) in preparation for the midterm.
It’s possible that this is more detail than you want, but it at least should be sufficient detail to get a handle on what’s supposed to be happening if the examples from the book and the handouts seemed too inexplicit.
Just a quick reminder: Don’t forget that the current state of the schedule is kept here:
http://ling.bu.edu/blogs/lx522f09/schedule/
Things have changed a bit since the copy I printed out for you at the beginning of the semester. Where the very first line of text says: Do not rely on the printed copy; instead consult the schedule page. In particular, don’t assume that the readings and homework assignments are just as they originally were. We are currently a bit behind the original schedule, but I try to keep the schedule page up to date.
You also want to look there because that’s where the keys are posted, too.
Due to a faculty meeting, I have to move my office hours earlier this coming Wednesday (Oct 21). They will be from 3-4pm (rather than the usual 4-5pm).
Come one! Come all! Find out more about the major and minor in linguistics, as well as academic programs in French, Spanish, and Italian language and literature. Meet faculty and students who share these interests. Current and prospective students are welcome; please spread the word!
Monday, October 19, 2009 from 3:45 to 5:00 pm, in CAS room 200
Refreshments will be served.
This is also a Facebook event. You are invited to RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140005344422.