Word Order in Theory and Change
Word Order in Theory and Change
This chapter begins with hypotheses about linearization and proceeds to examples of word‐order change. The theoretical portion focuses on the main formal theories, the most interesting of which involves feature‐driven parameters of movement in combination with the Linear Correspondence Axiom as an interface default. The main typological change treated is Germanic, which shifted from V‐final by gradual loss of object‐fronting cues. Changes in the genitive are also discussed. The phrasal genitive developed in contact with Danes in northeast England. Finally, numerous changes from V‐final to non‐V‐final are reviewed and contrasted with the rarity of changes to a head‐final language.
Keywords: linearization, word‐order change, Linear Correspondence Axiom, object fronting, head‐final language
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