Extending 0-Search and 0-Merge Hypothesis to the Linearization of Syntactic Objects and its Biolinguistic Implication

Abstract

T0-Search and 0-Merge hypothesis proposed by Kato et al. (2016) and Fukui et al. (2017) attempts to reduce the operations outside the narrow syntax by further reducing Merge into a set of primitive operations. This is only possible if operations such as Agreement, Binding, Chain Formation, and Labeling are expressed as set-theoretic relations. With this premise, we argue that M₀S₀ hypothesis can be extended to the linearization of syntactic objects (SOs). In particular, we propose that (i) linear order of two SOs when expressed as a set-theoretic relation, {{?}, {?, ?}}, can be captured by M₀S₀, (ii) Minimality condition on M₀S₀ (WS) and Structural Prominence can stand in place of Asymmetric C-command Condition adopted by Kayne’s (1994) Linear Correspondence Axiom, (iii) M₀S₀ only linearizes SOs inside a Current in line with the Multiple Spell-Out model of Uriagereka (2001, 2012), and (iv) this extension of the M₀S₀ (WS) hypothesis to include linearization has an implication on Chomsky’s theory of evolution of language i.e., linear order may have been a result of exaptation of Internal Merge to another domain—speech.