Thematic Restrictions on Movement in NP

Abstract

This paper deals with the unproductivity of derived nominals in English. It is shown that the unproductivity is crucially related to the thematic structure of the head noun and that the thematic restriction is based on the slightly revised form of the traditional thematic hierarchy. To incorporate the thematic restriction into the grammar, the Minimality Condition of Chomsky(1986b) is revised. Hence, a revision of the Minimality Condition is proposed so that the movement of some argument can nullify the effect of the minimal barrier. It is demonstrated through examples that the movement of the argument with a higher theta· role is permitted, since it nullifies the effect of the revised Minimality Condition. It is also shown that the movement of the argument with a lower theta-role is not permitted, since it does not affect the revised Minimality Condition.