The Behavior of Zibun Revisited and the Theory of Grammar

Abstract

In the theoretical analysis of reflexivization in Sohng (2004a), it is predicted that Japanese zibun, which is used for all persons, lacks inherent Ф-features in the Lexicon and gets its Ф-features at LF, like Chinese ziji. Zibun, like ziji, shows strong subject orientation, but does not manifest the blocking effect, unlike ziji. This paper shows that strong subject orientation for zibun and ziji follows from the modified Minimalist Conditions on Subject Orientation and LF Spec-head agreement under the [Refl feature checking analysis in the Minimalist framework (Chomsky 1995). This paper goes on to show that the lack of the blocking effect of zibun follows from Conditions on Subject Orientation and Spec-head agreement, under the theoretical perspective that Agreement (Ф-features), EPP, and the Case features are optional in Japanese.