Linear Correspondence Axiom
Linear Correspondence Axiom
The dominating question addressed here is how syntactical structures based on constituency (dominance, c-command) are to be mapped onto linear phonetic strings.
Both prosodies principles and narrow-syntactic principles play a role in the linearization of syntactic structures. Kayne’s (1994) Linear Correspondence Axiom as a beginning point: (asymmetric) c-command maps onto precedence relations. 2 wide-ranging predictions of Kayne’s theory are that defines precede their heads and that a head can only have one specifies or adjunct.
Although abundant evidence supports these predictions, there is nonetheless a well-known class of apparent counterexamples: Romance languages allow both rightward and multiple dislocations. Apparent correctly movement is the consequence of rightward linearization forced by Wrap. The possibility of multiple dislocations is compatible with the LCA within the assumptions made here.