Interface conditions and code-switching: Pronouns, lexical DPs, and checking theory

The ban on code-switching between a (subject) pronoun and a verb, but not between a lexical DP and a verb, is an enduring puzzle in research on bilingual code-switching. In this paper, we propose an account of these code-switching facts by positing that pronouns and lexical DPs take advantage of dif...

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Published inLingua Vol. 118; no. 6; pp. 765 - 776
Main Authors van Gelderen, Elly, MacSwan, Jeff
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 01.06.2008
Subjects
Bilingualism
Code Switching
Coordination
Feature Checking
Features
Functional Heads
Head
Interface
Language Processing
Minimalism
Minimalist Program
Noun Phrases
Phrase
Pronoun
Pronouns
Syntax Phonology Relationship
Head
Minimalism
Coordination
Features
Phrase
Pronoun
Interface
Code-switching
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ISSN0024-3841
1872-6135
DOI10.1016/j.lingua.2007.05.003

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Summary:The ban on code-switching between a (subject) pronoun and a verb, but not between a lexical DP and a verb, is an enduring puzzle in research on bilingual code-switching. In this paper, we propose an account of these code-switching facts by positing that pronouns and lexical DPs take advantage of different checking strategies: While lexical DPs check features in [Spec, TP], pronouns undergo D-to-T movement. In the latter case, a mixed-language complex head results, a construction which crashes at PF, as predicted by the PF Disjunction Theorem.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:0024-3841
1872-6135
DOI:10.1016/j.lingua.2007.05.003