Syntax I

In the textbook (e.g., p. 261), Adger suggests a feature [unum: ] goes on Ds, which is how we ensure that the determiner agrees in number with the noun it takes as a complement.

In class (and earlier on the blog), I’ve been using [uφ: ] to accomplish essentially the same thing. Since number is one of the features included in the φ-features (person, number, gender), the use of [uφ: ] is more general (and, indeed, doesn’t refer to anything new).

The prediction I make (again, recall the light box) is that it would at least be possible for gender or person to make a difference in how a determiner is pronounced—at least in some languages. And, in fact, in Romance languages (for example), gender and number do both play a role in determining the pronunciation of the determiners.

So, use [uφ: ] and when you read the textbook and see Adger writing [unum: ], think “[uφ: ]” to yourself.

As for where [uφ: ] goes, the answer is essentially: on every D except pronouns. On any D that takes an NP complement, it will agree in φ-features, even you don’t see/hear it reflected in the pronunciation.