Focus and clause structuration in the minimalist program

Abstract

This article explores the possibility that the derivation of focus from syntax to LF can be implemented in a direct and transparent way. Assuming the principles of Bare Phrase Structure, I develop a derivational construal of the focus structure and provide a syntax of focus in Basque combining it with an eventish logical form whereby the focus falls in the scope of a binary existential quantifier ( cf. Herburger (2000)). Adopting recent ideas of Hornstein & Uriagereka (2002), this transparent interface is accomplished by allowing binary quantifiers to reproject at LF to get their nuclear scope. 1-Introduction: 1 The analysis of 'focus' has always been problematic for any model of generative grammar that tries to account for the properties of I-languages abstracting away from external use of language and discourse factors. The following passage from Chomsky (1995b: 220) attests the problematic nature of focus: Notice that I am sweeping under the rug questions of considerable significance, notably, questions about what in the earlier Extended Standard Theory (EST) framework were called 'surface effects' on the interpretation. These are manifold, involving topic-focus and theme-rheme structures, figure ground properties, effects of adjacency and linearity and many others.