Minimalism and Optimality Theory

This article discusses the relation between the minimalist program (MP) and optimality theory (OT) and will show that, contrary to popular belief, MP and OT are not inherently incompatible or competing frameworks/theories. Instead, we will show (i) that the two can well be seen as complementary parts of a more general model of grammar and (ii) that the resulting hybrid system may be superior to the two constituting parts in isolation