The Syntax of Givenness Ivona Kucerová

will thus modify the definition of G-movement from (11) in order to capture the distinction
between lexically given and lexically ambiguous items. The new definition of G-movement
is given in (59). A definition of what it means to be lexically given is in (60).
(59) G-Movement [version 2]
G-movement is required iff α G is asymmetrically c-commanded by a non-G element;
unless
a. the movement is independently blocked, or
b. α G is lexically given.
(60) Lexically given
α G is lexically given if its semantic lexical entry requires α G to have a salient
antecedent A such that α and A corefer.
Let’s first have a look at what happens if α G is required to move but it is in a position
from which it cannot move at all. 23 In Czech, G-movement is impossible out of a specifier
or out of a syntactic island. 24 Consider the context in (61). As we can see in (62)–(64), if
a given element is within a specifier, it cannot be realized as a bare NP/DP, as can be seen
in (a)–(b). 25 To make such a sentence felicitous, the given element must be realized either
as a possessive pronoun, as in the (c) examples, or the relevant DP must be modified by a
demonstrative pronoun, as in the (d) examples.
(61) Na programu byla diskuse o nové učitelce. ←− context I
on program was discussion about new teacher
‘The topic of the program was a discussion about a new teacher.’
(62) a. #Důvodem bylo podezření, že dcera (nové) učitelky bere drogy.
reason was suspicion that daughter of-new teacher takes drugs
‘The reason was a suspicion that a daughter of a new teacher is a drug-addict.’
b. #Důvodem bylo podezření, že učitelčina dcera bere drogy.
reason was suspicion that teacher’s daughter takes drugs
‘The reason was a suspicion that a daughter of a new teacher is a drug-addict.’
c. Důvodem bylo podezření, že její dcera bere drogy.
reason was suspicion that her daughter takes drugs
‘The reason was a suspicion that her daughter is a drug-addict.’
d. Důvodem bylo podezření, že dcera té (nové) učitelky bere drogy.
reason was suspicion that daughter of-that new teacher takes drugs
‘The reason was a suspicion that a daughter of that new teacher is a drugaddict.’
23 I thank to Danny Fox for suggesting this test to me and helping me to figure out its consequences.
24 It has been argued that Slavic languages, including Czech, allow Left-branch extraction, thus, movement
out of the specifier might be possible, see for example, Bošković 2005; Citko 2006. Putting aside whether or
not there is Left-branch extraction in Czech, the restriction on moving from specifiers does not need to follow
from this constraint. Since no head movement can take place out of a specifier, G-movement is expected to
be blocked independently of the Left-branch extraction properties of Czech.
25 In the (a) examples, the DP is realized post-nominally, while in the (b) examples it is realized prenominally.
Both options are possible in Czech. The difference is that a DP in a pre-nominal position cannot
be further modified.
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