Linguistics

Contains report on one research project and abstracts for seven theses

Discourse, sentence grammar and the left periphery of the clause

The term left periphery refers to that area on the left of the subject, in the syntactic representation of a clause, where the relationships with the context are encoded. In this work I propose a syntactic analysis that goes beyond mere sentence grammar and integrates prosodic and discourse features as well. On the one hand, this move accounts for some observations previously not fully understood, such as the anomalous syntactic properties of Clitic Left Dislocation and Hanging Topic, their differences with respect to Focus and their similarities with parentheticals. On the other, it aims at providing a theory of grammar able to encode the relationships between sentence grammar, context and bigger units such as discourses

Cyclicity and Connectivity in Nez Perce Relative Clauses

This article studies two aspects of movement in relative clauses, focusing on evidence from Nez Perce. First, I argue that relativization involves cyclic Ā-movement, even in monoclausal relatives: the relative operator moves to Spec, CP via an intermediate position in an Ā outer specifier of TP. The core arguments draw on word order, complementizer choice, and a pattern of case attraction for relative pronouns. Ā cyclicity of this type suggests that the TP sister of relative C constitutes a phase—a result whose implications extend to an ill-understood corner of the English that-trace effect. Second, I argue that Nez Perce relativization provides new evidence for an ambiguity thesis for relative clauses, according to which some but not all relatives are derived by head raising. The argument comes from connectivity and anticonnectivity in morphological case. A crucial role is played by a pattern of inverse case attraction, wherein the head noun surfaces in a case determined internal to the relative clause. These new data complement the range of existing arguments concerning head raising, which draw primarily on connectivity effects at the syntax-semantics interface

Clitic positions and restructuring in Italian

Verbs can be introduced (merged) either in a lexical VP or in a functional head, the latter giving rise to restructuring contexts. This paper argues that there are two clitic positions in Italian ‘restructured’ clauses. One position is associated with the (restructured) lexical verb and the other position is a clausal clitic position located in the functional domain. While restructuring can be recursive, clitics appear either on the restructured infinitive (no clitic climbing) or in the functional domain of the highest verb (full clitic climbing). There is no clitic climbing to an intermediate restructuring verb. We argue that only the lowest restructured verb makes a position for clitics available. We then discuss the distribution of the infinitive-final [e] and argue that its position should be identified with the lexical clitic position. Finally, it is shown that the functional ~ lexical dichotomy is too sharp and that a variety of verb classes must be admitted, including one which we call quasi-functional (causative, perception, and motion verbs.) The properties exhibited by each class of verbs correlates with the point in the structure in which they are merged

What governments can do about the increase in family violence due to coronavirus

Tackling a health crisis such as COVID-19, with society in lockdown can’t help but place families under strain. It’s been reported family violence notifications to police nearly tripled in some areas of China’s Hubei province (where SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 originated) during the lockdown in February. Some family violence organisations in Australia are already reporting a rise in demand for services. The federal government recently announced A$1.1 billion for mental health services, domestic violence support and Medicare assistance for people at home, and emergency food relief. This support is welcome but more practical and creative measures are also required to protect vulnerable families

Modernising Child Protection in New Zealand: Learning from system reforms in other jurisdictions

This is a report commissioned by Superu on behalf of the New Zealand Modernising Child, Youth and Family Expert Panel (the Panel). The aims of the paper are to compare various aspects of the current child protection systems in New Zealand with other jurisdictions around the world; identify common themes and tensions that these child protection systems are encounter; and, the ways that they have addressed (and are addressing) some of the important issues. This report outlines some key issues for child protection systems, based on a reviewof approaches and reforms in England, the United States, Canada (Ontario), Norway, and Australia (New South Wales). This paper is based on a search of peer reviewed and ‘grey literature’ and compares jurisdictions with New Zealand

Mindfulness-based parenting programmes for improving psychosocial outcomes in children from birth to age 18 and their parents

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based parent training programmes on the psychosocial functioning of children (from birth to age 18 years) and their parents