(In)variability in locality constraints. Evidence from resumption (C05)

• Subject Area: General and Comparative Linguistics, Experimental Linguistics, Typology, Non-European Languages
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 317633480

The project investigates variability of resumptive dependencies regarding their sensitivity to island constraints within and across languages. The goal is to determine whether these constraints are due to grammatical principles or can be reduced to processing difficulty. By means of a translation-matched comparison of 4 languages in parallel with large-scale acceptability-rating experiments where non-syntactic factors are held constant, it becomes possible to detect cross-linguistic as well within-language variability. This would constitute a case of Hidden Variability and provide evidence that the explanation of island constraints requires reference to grammatical principles.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1287: Limits of Variability in Language: Cognitive, Computational, and Grammatical Aspects
• Applicant Institution: Universität Potsdam
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Doreen Georgi; Professor Dr. Martin Salzmann