Feature-splitting internal merge: Improper movement, intervention and the A/A’-distinction. Syntax

Abstract. A central goal of this paper is to present a new account of improper-movement phenomena based on Chomskys (2007, 2008) phase-based derivational approach. We claim that improper movement is excluded by virtue of Agree failure between a moving element and a finite T as a consequence of ‘‘feature-splitting’ ’ Internal Merge, which we argue is the most (or at least a very) natural implementation of Chomskys /-feature-inheritance system and Richardss (2007) value–transfer-simultaneity analysis. This analysis has a number of empirical and theoretical consequences: (i) regarding the explanation of A¢-opacity/-transparency intervention effects (Rezac 2003, Carstens 2005); (ii) the possible elimination, or reduction in scope, of the Activity Condition; and (iii) the possible characterization of A/A¢-position types solely in terms of categorial features. Moreover, we propose that (iv) the ban on improper movement is, in fact, not universal but is morphologically parameterized (at least) between English and the Bantu language Kilega. 1