Sluicing in Basque: a move-and-delete analysis

Irene Macazaga Núñez

doi:10.35462/flv138.2

Irene Macazaga Núñez University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU [Spain] https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5595-2566

Keywords: sluicing, Basque, syntactic structure, move-and-delete

Abstract

In this paper I explore sluicing in Basque, the elliptical phenomenon whereby the interrogative clause is elided, but the wh-remnant is pronounced. Specifically, I address the long-debated question of whether sluicing involves a full-fledged syntactic structure or not. By employing diverse cross-linguistic tests (case matching, binding, and adposition (non-)stranding), I show that there is structure therein. In short, I entertain the hypothesis that this phenomenon involves independently available wh-movement and subsequent deletion of the ellipsis site, which consists of silent structure; namely, I propose a move-and-delete account for sluicing in Basque.

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