This book investigates a number of elliptical constructions found in Dutch dialects within the framework of the Minimalist Program. It argues that both the PF-deletion and the pro-theory of ellipsis are needed to account for the full range of elliptical phenomena attested in natural language. In chapters 2–9 the book focuses on two instances of stranding under sluicing: stranding with prepositions in English (What about?) and stranding with demonstrative pronouns in southern Dutch dialects (Wie dat? ‘who that’). Both these phenomena are given a PF-deletion analysis, and are shown to be the res ... More

This book investigates a number of elliptical constructions found in Dutch dialects within the framework of the Minimalist Program. It argues that both the PF-deletion and the pro-theory of ellipsis are needed to account for the full range of elliptical phenomena attested in natural language. In chapters 2–9 the book focuses on two instances of stranding under sluicing: stranding with prepositions in English (What about?) and stranding with demonstrative pronouns in southern Dutch dialects (Wie dat? ‘who that’). Both these phenomena are given a PF-deletion analysis, and are shown to be the result of the interaction between the split CP-hypothesis and the syntax of wh-movement. The second half of the book is concerned with Short Do Replies in southern Dutch dialects, a type of reply that expresses verum focus and that at first sight bears a close resemblance to English VP-ellipsis. It is shown that in this case the ellipsis site is best represented as a null, structureless proform that is licensed by the head of a high polarity projection. This pronominal is then argued to occur in two other dialectal constructions as well: contradictory replies of the type Da's nie ‘that.is not’ found in Brabant Dutch, and the occurrence of subject clitics and agreement endings on the polarity items yes and no in Southern Dutch dialects (e.g. Ja-n-s ‘yes-plural-they’).