第8章 Agreement, case and movement(一致、格与移位)
第7章说了“主语往上爬”,但没说谁推它、凭什么推。本章把答案装成一台引擎:定式 T 是探针 probe,它带着一堆未值且不可诠释的 φ 特征,向下 c-command 找一个匹配的名词目标 goal;找到后互相赋值、删除不可诠释特征;最后 EPP 逼 T 把最近目标或虚词拉上 spec-TP。做题就是把这台引擎在每个句子里跑一遍。
武器①:探针 Probe 与目标 Goal
探针=结构中最高、带不可诠释(person/number/case)特征因而“活跃 active”的中心语;它向下 c-command 搜索。目标=被探针 c-command、带可诠释 φ 特征(及自己未值格)的名词。按 Earliness Principle(越早越好),一致在结构一搭好就立即发生。
武器②:特征赋值 Feature-Copying
名词 they 自带已值 [3-Pers, Pl-Num],但格未值 [u-Case];助动词 BE 自带已值时态 [Past-Tns],但 φ 未值 [u-Pers, u-Num]。一致后:探针的未值 φ 从目标复制赋值;目标的未值格由探针(定式 T=主格)赋值。
一致赋值后:BE 的 φ 被赋成 3-Pers/Pl-Num,THEY 的格被赋成 Nom(主格)
武器③:可诠释 vs 不可诠释特征;Feature Deletion
| 类别 | 性质 | 例子 | 命运 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 可诠释 interpretable | 入句法时已值;对语义有贡献 | 名词的 person/number、时态 Tns | 保留到语义接口 |
| 不可诠释 uninterpretable | 入句法时未值;对语义无贡献 | 助动词的 φ 特征、名词的格 | 拼出前必须删除 |
表8-1 可诠释 vs 不可诠释特征(原书§8.4)
Feature Deletion(14):若 α 与 β 一致,且 α 是 φ-complete(同时带 person+number),则 α 可删除 β 身上不可诠释的 person/number/case 特征,反之亦然;删除后特征在语义接口不可见、在句法与 PF 仍可见(Feature Visibility Convention 13)。崩溃点:若到拼出时还残留未值特征,PF 无法发音(如不知用 am/is/are),推导 crash。
以 They were arrested 为例,把引擎一步步跑给你看:第一步,语用要求一个第三人称复数、过去时的被动句。名词 THEY 进句法时已带可诠释的 [3-Pers, Pl-Num],但格未值 [u-Case];助动词 BE 进句法时已带可诠释时态 [Past-Tns],但 φ 未值 [u-Pers, u-Num],还带 [EPP]。第二步,BE 合并到 arrested 的 VP 补语之上,按 Earliness 立即做一致:BE 是最高活跃探针,找到 goal=THEY。第三步,Feature-Copying:BE 的 [u-Pers, u-Num] 从 THEY 复制成 [3-Pers, Pl-Num];同时 THEY 的 [u-Case] 由定式 BE 赋成 [Nom-Case]。第四步,因 BE φ-complete(人和数都齐),Feature-Deletion 删除 THEY 的不可诠释格、也删除 BE 的不可诠释 φ。第五步,EPP:BE 的 [EPP] 不能靠虚词满足(本句要显性主语),于是把最近活跃 goal THEY 移到 spec-TP。第六步,拼出:BE 因带 [Past-Tns]+[3-Pers, Pl-Num] 发音成 were,THEY 因主格+三复数发音成 they,无残留未值特征,推导 converge。这六步就是本册每道题要在脑子里跑一遍的标准动作。
武器④:虚词 it 与 there
| 虚词 | 携带的不可诠释特征 | 出现环境 |
|---|---|---|
| 虚词 it | 只带不可诠释 [3-Pers, Sg-Num],无人称/格特征;c-command 不到名词目标时用它 | It is said that he has taken bribes |
| 虚词 there | 只带不可诠释 [3-Pers](有人称、无数);c-command 到一个名词目标时用它 | There are thought likely to be awarded several prizes |
表8-2 it vs there
EPP 概化(45):T 的 [EPP] 可由三种方式删除——(i) T c-command 到一个有定/不定名词目标时,合并虚词 there;(ii) T c-command 不到任何名词目标时,合并虚词 it;(iii) 否则把最近活跃目标移入 spec-TP。经济原则 Prefer-Merge-Over-Move:能 Merge 虚词就别 Move 名词。
及物句:We are helping him——T 只与主语 we 一致,不与宾格 him 一致(及物 VP 是相,object 在相内边缘不可及)
多重一致(Bowers 变体):there 内在 spec-VP,HAVE 同时与 there(人称)和 several problems(人称+数)一致
武器⑤:PIC 相不可穿透条件
PIC(23)/(55):相首(C 及物动词 V)的 c-command 域内任何目标,对相外探针不可穿透。CP 与及物性 VP 是相。这就是为什么主句 BE 不能和 that-小句里的主语 he 一致(he 在 CP 相内,相外 BE 够不着)——所以只能合并虚词 it。
虚词 it 句:BE 与 CP 相内的 he 被 PIC 隔开,无法一致,故 T 自带第三人称单数默认值
weather it 的特殊性:It is raining 里的 it 可作 rain 的(准)题元,甚至可作 PRO 的先行语,故它不是纯填充物;但在句法上仍按虚词处理,T 与之赋同样的第三人称单数。
weather it:It is raining(it 与 BE 互赋三单,无名词目标)
武器⑥:A-移位由一致+EPP 驱动;successive-cyclic
第7章说 A-移位满足 EPP;第8章更精确:T 既是探针又是 EPP 携带者,它先 Agree 名词、再因 EPP 把该名词拉上 spec-TP。当 T 与名词在 person/number 上一致时,名词才被激活、才可移;葡萄牙语无人称被动证明这一点(格形态不固定的名词不触发一致也不移)。复杂句里名词逐 TP 循环上升(successive-cyclic),每到一个带 EPP 的 defective T 就站一下。
一致+EPP 驱动 A-移位:They were arrested(they 先与 were 一致、获主格,再因 EPP 上 spec-TP)
successive-cyclic:Several prizes are thought likely to be awarded(名词逐层过 defective TP 上升)
武器⑦:不定式 T 的特征成分(原书79,全章最有用的一张表)
| T 种类 | φ 特征 | 例子 |
|---|---|---|
| 定式 T / 控制不定式 to | φ-complete(person+number)+[EPP] | He wants [PRO to help you] |
| 提升/被动/ECM 的 defective T | 只有 person,无 number,但带 [EPP] | seems to… / is likely to… / expected to… |
| 控制不定式 PRO 的格 | Null Case(由 φ-complete 空时态 to 指派) | PRO to help you |
表8-3 英语不定式 T 的特征成分(原书79)
控制不定式:PRO to help you(φ-complete 空时态 to 给 PRO 派 Null Case,PRO 原位不提升)
题干(原书 p323):Discuss the derivation of the following sentences. 另请说明下列带 * 句子为何崩溃(括号内为 intended meaning)。提示:定式句与控制不定式(decide 补语)是 canonical CP;seem/likely/expected 补语类无主语不定式是 defective TP(T 带 person+[EPP]、无 number);to 后接被动分词时是 AUXP 的 AUX,后接形容词时是 VP 的 V;采用 Prefer-Merge-Over-Move;同 CP 内的中心语才内部移动、竞争同一 spec-TP 的名词须在同 CP。
十句正句
2 There are expected to remain some problems.
3 Several mineworkers are thought to have died.
4 They are considered likely to want to enter the race.
5 It would be unthinkable to compromise yourself.
6 He appears to be thought to be certain to win the race.
7 He is hoping to be promoted.
8 It is rumoured that there have been several riots.
9 It is thought to be likely that some houses have collapsed.
10 There seem certain to remain some problems.
| # | 句子 | 派生要点 | 考点 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There remains little hope… | remain 非宾格,little hope 是 THEME 补语;定式 T(affix)探针,φ-complete 赋主格给 little hope 并删其格;因词汇数组无显性名词,Prefer-Merge-Over-Move → 合并 there 满足 EPP。 | 虚词 there+非宾格 |
| 2 | There are expected to remain… | 双层:内嵌 remain 补语 some problems;expected 是被动 defective T(person only),主句 are 的 EPP 由 there 满足;some problems 留低层。 | 被动+虚词 |
| 3 | Several mineworkers are thought… | Several mineworkers 本是 died 的题元补语,经 thought 被动 defective T 的 EPP 被 successively-cyclic 提到主句 spec-TP,赋主格。 | 名词长距离提升 |
| 4 | They are considered likely to want… | They 是 enter 的题元;likely defective T 提升一层,want 是 control(内嵌 want 的主语 PRO=they 的控制语,Null Case);层层相扣。 | raising+control 混合 |
| 5 | It would be unthinkable to compromise yourself | compromise 的补语 yourself 要求施事;不定式 CP 无显性主语,主句 c-command 不到名词目标 → 合并虚词 it 满足 EPP。 | 虚词 it(无名词目标) |
| 6 | He appears to be thought to be certain to win… | He 是 win 的题元,跨三层(certain/thought/appear)defective T 逐级提升;He 是 EXPERIENCER。 | 多层 successively-cyclic |
| 7 | He is hoping to be promoted | hope 是 control:He 是 hope 的 EXPERIENCER(主句真题元),内嵌 to be promoted 的主语是 PRO;PRO 被 promoted 被动提升。注意 He 不跨进内嵌。 | control+被动内嵌 |
| 8 | It is rumoured that there have been… | rumoured 补语是 CP(that 小句),PIC 阻止主句 BE 与 CP 内主语一致 → 主句合并虚词 it;CP 内部 there 满足内嵌 have 的 EPP。 | PIC+双层虚词 |
| 9 | It is thought to be likely that… | 主句 to be likely 是 defective TP(无 CP 边界穿透问题?)但 that-小句是 CP、主语 some houses 在相内不可及 → 主句仍用 it;likely 后 CP 相。 | defective to+CP 补语 |
| 10 | There seem certain to remain… | 双层 raising 形容词 seem/certain,some problems 留最内;there 占主句 spec-TP,依次经两层 EPP。 | 双重 raising +虚词 |
表8-4 Exercise 8.1 十句正句派生要点
示范推导(原书 Model answer for 1:There remains little hope…)
8.1-1 示范:There remains little hope…(探针 AFF 赋主格给 QP,there 满足 EPP)
六句 crash 病句:哪一步崩了
12 *Some problems are expected there to remain (= …)
13 *It is expected there to remain some problems (= …)
14 *There are rumoured that several prisoners were recaptured
15 *They appear were detained (= It appears that they were detained)
16 *He is believed has quit his job (= It is believed that he has quit his job)
| # | 崩溃原因(哪一步) | 病句类型 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | expected 与 some problems 之间插了 there,但 expected 的 EPP 已被 there 占,some problems 却被要求留在原位又触发一致冲突;且 there 本应占主句 spec-TP,却错位到 expected 与 to 之间,破坏“名词须与目标同 CP”的局部性。 | EPP 位置错配 |
| 12 | Some problems 已被移到主句 spec-TP,却又在低层保留 there;同一 spec-TP 竞争两个名词,且 expected 的 EPP 只能由一个成分满足,重复占位。 | 双重占位 |
| 13 | expected 是 raising/被动,其补语 TP 本应允许虚词;但主句误用虚词 it(it 用于“c-command 不到名词目标”),而此处低层明明有 some problems,应用 there,选错虚词。 | it/there 选错 |
| 14 | rumoured 的补语是 that-CP,CP 是相;相内主语 several prisoners 对主句探针不可及(PIC),主句应合并虚词 it 而非 there;there 要求 c-command 到一个名词目标,越相不可及。 | PIC 越相 |
| 15 | appear 后接定式小句时应是 CP(that they were detained),apparent 的提升只对不定式 TP 补语成立;硬把定式限定从句 were detained 当不定式补语,T 特征不匹配。 | TP/CP 补语选错 |
| 16 | 同 15:believed 后 that-从句是 CP,相内主语 he 不可及;想提升 he 出 CP 违反 PIC。应 It is believed that he has quit his job。 | PIC 越相提升 |
表8-5 Exercise 8.1 六句 crash 归因
题干(原书 p325,Alison Henry 提供):Discuss the derivation of following Belfast English sentences. 提示:用 Prefer-Merge-Over-Move;2–6 会挑战“只有 C(wh 句)和 T(所有句)带 [EPP]”的假设,可考虑 EPP 参数化——不同中心语/语言变体谁带 [EPP] 可能不同。
2 There should have lots of students been taking the course.
3 There should lots of students have been taking the course.
4 There have seemed to be lots of students enjoying the course.
5 There have seemed lots of students to be enjoying the course.
6 There have lots of students seemed to be enjoying the course.
标准英语里,助动词链条 should–have–been–taking 的顺序固定,量化主语 lots of students 只能在最底层(句1)。Belfast 英语却允许主语插在不同助动词之间(句2、3、5、6)。这说明:在 Belfast 变体里,不止定式 T,中间的 PERF(have)甚至 PROG 层也带 [EPP],于是名词可停在不同的助动词中间的 spec 位,造成连续循环式的“分段上升”。
| 句 | 实际语序 | 落点位置 | 推论:谁带 EPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | should–have–been–taking,主语在最底 | 标准序;只 should(T) 带 EPP,主语一路升到主句 spec-TP | 规范 |
| 2 | should have [lots] been taking | lots of students 停在 have 与 been 之间 | PERF=have 带 EPP |
| 3 | should [lots] have been taking | lots of students 停在 should 与 have 之间 | 更高一层 T 之外也允许停 |
| 4 | have seemed to be [lots] enjoying | 标准序(seem 后不定式内) | 规范 |
| 5 | have seemed [lots] to be enjoying | lots 插在 seemed 与 to 之间 | seem 层也接受落点 |
| 6 | have [lots] seemed to be enjoying | lots 插在 have 与 seemed 之间 | 主句 PERF 层接受落点 |
表8-6 Belfast 英语六句语序与 EPP 参数推论
示范推导(原书 Model answer for 1)
8.2-1:Belfast 标准序 There should have been lots of students taking the course
句2、3 的意义:句2 *There should have lots of students been taking… 在标准英语违法,Belfast 合法,说明在该变体里 完成助动词 have(PERF)也带 [EPP],lots of students 不必一路冲到 should 的 spec,停在 have 的 spec 即可满足该层 EPP;句3 更进一步,说明主语可停在 should 与 have 之间更高的落点。这正是“EPP 参数化”的经验证据:中心语是否携带 [EPP] 不是 UG 普遍规定死的,而是一个可由语言/变体设定的参数。
8.1 正句逐句特征走查(七步流程实例)
下面把十句正句逐一过一遍附录流程卡,重点标出“探针是谁、目标是谁、谁满足 EPP”。
句2 There are expected to remain some problems:最内层 remain 的补语 some problems 是 goal(带未值格);中间被动 expected 所在 T 是 defective(person only),主句 are 是 φ-complete 探针。主句探针 c-command 到 some problems,但因 there 是更省的 Merge 选项,EPP 由 there 满足;some problems 仍在低层。要点:expected 是被动 defective T,不要求名词一路提到主句。
句3 Several mineworkers are thought to have died:several mineworkers 本是 died 的题元补语;thought 是被动,其补语 TP 内无虚词,主句 are 的 EPP 只能 Move——吸引最近活跃 goal several mineworkers,跨内嵌 TP 升到主句 spec-TP,赋主格。这是 successively-cyclic 提升。
句4 They are considered likely to want to enter the race:最内 enter 的题元是 them;likely 是 raising 形容词(defective T),want 是 control 谓词。分层:want 的补语 to enter 的主语是 PRO(Null Case,受 they 控制);likely 把 they 从 want 的外延提升;considered 被动再提到主句。最易错处:want 是 control,PRO 不动,they 不是 want 的主语。
句5 It would be unthinkable to compromise yourself:compromise 的施事是一个任意 PRO,不定式 CP 内没有任何显性名词目标;主句探针 c-command 不到名词,故 EPP 由虚词 it 满足。yourself 反身代词由任意 PRO 约束。为什么用 it 不用 there?因为 c-command 域内根本没有名词 goal。
句6 He appears to be thought to be certain to win the race:三层 defective T 叠加——certain(形容词)→ thought(被动)→ appear(提升)。He 是 win 的 EXPERIENCER 题元,逐 TP 循环上升,每层的 [EPP] 把他往上推一格,最后到主句 spec-TP。
句7 He is hoping to be promoted:hope 是 control,He 是 hope 的 EXPERIENCER(主句真题元);内嵌 to be promoted 的主语是 PRO,PRO 是 promoted 的题元补语、被被动提升到内嵌 spec-TP。He 只属于 hope,不跨进被动小句——这是 control 内嵌被动的典型。
句8 It is rumoured that there have been several riots:rumoured 的补语是 that-CP,CP 是相;相内 there 与 several riots 对主句探针不可及,故主句 BE c-command 不到名词 goal,合并虚词 it。CP 内部另跑一遍:have 是探针,several riots 是 goal,there 满足内嵌 EPP。双层虚词,分处两个相。
句9 It is thought to be likely that some houses have collapsed:主句 to be likely 是 defective TP,但 likely 的补语是 that-CP,some houses 在 CP 相内不可及;主句探针够不着名词,合并 it。与句8 同理,关键在 likely 后是 CP 相。
句10 There seem certain to remain some problems:seem 与 certain 两个 raising 形容词叠用,some problems 留在最内 remain 补语;there 占主句 spec-TP,依次过两层 raising T 的 EPP。与句2 同型,只是把被动换形容词。
8.1 六句 crash 再深入:定位崩在哪一步
句11 *There are expected some problems to remain:EPP 满足错序。正确推导里 expected 的 EPP 应由 to 层的虚词/名词满足,而 there 应在更高主句位;此句把 there 错插到 expected 与 some problems 之间,等于让一个 spec 位被两个成分争抢,且违反“同 CP 内中心语才内部移动”。修法:还原为 There are expected to remain some problems。
句12 *Some problems are expected there to remain:名词已提到主句 spec-TP,低层却又留 there。一个 EPP 位只能容一个成分,双重占位;且 there 本应占主句、却错留低层。修法:要么提名词(Some problems are expected to remain),要么留 there(There are expected to remain…),二选一。
句13 *It is expected there to remain some problems:虚词选错。expected 后低层明明 c-command 到 some problems(不定 goal),按 EPP 概化(45i) 应用 there;it 只用于“c-command 不到 goal”的环境。混用 it 与 there 导致一致目标错位。
句14 *There are rumoured that several prisoners were recaptured:rumoured 后是 that-CP,CP 是相;there 要求探针 c-command 到一个名词 goal,但 several prisoners 在相内被 PIC 封死,主句探针够不着,there 无 goal 可一致 → 崩溃。修法:主句改用 it(It is rumoured that…)。
句15 *They appear were detained / 句16 *He is believed has quit his job:把定式限定小句(were detained / has quit)直接当提升补语。提升谓词只接不定式 TP 补语;定式小句是 CP 相,主语不能跨相提升。修法:补 that 并改用虚词主语——It appears that they were detained / It is believed that he has quit his job。
8.2 Belfast 句 2–6 的 EPP 参数化解读
句2 There should have lots of students been taking:标准英语里 lots of students 须一路升到 should 的 spec;Belfast 允许它停在 have(PERF)与 been(PROG)之间。这说明在该变体里 PERF 中心语 have 自己也带 [EPP]:当 have 的 T 投射上的 EPP 可被低层名词满足时,名词就停在 have 的 spec,不必继续上移。
句3 There should lots of students have been taking:落点更高,停在 should 与 have 之间。这进一步说明主语落点不止一个,且高层的 should 与中层的 have 都可作 EPP 落点;Belfast 说话人把 EPP 指派给了多个助动词层。
句4–6(seem 组):句4 是标准序;句5 lots of students 插在 seemed 与 to 之间;句6 插在 have 与 seemed 之间。与 should-have 组平行,说明在 Belfast 里 seem(提升谓词)层、甚至主句完成 have 层都接受名词落点。
理论结论:若 UG 真的只允许“C(wh 句)和定式 T 带 [EPP]”,句2/3/5/6 应一律违法。但 Belfast 合法,说明 [EPP] 是一个可参数化的特征:某中心语是否带 EPP,随语言/方言设定而变。这挑战了原书“只有 T 和 C 带 EPP”的强假设,是本章结尾留给学习者的开放问题——不同语言(如日耳曼语支其他方言)可能在“哪些中心语带 EPP”上给出不同参数值。

