Prof Victor Pan and Chenghao Hu published "Derivation with parallel workspaces in the free-MERGE system" in Studies in Generative Grammar!

Prof Victor Pan and Chenghao Hu published Derivation with parallel workspaces in the free-MERGE system in Studies in Generative Grammar (open access)!

Abstract In this paper, we propose a parallel-workspaces MERGE model, under which Internal Merge and Sideward Merge are both derived through (i) the search across workspaces and (ii) the MERGE operating on two workspaces. Crucially, the difference between Internal Merge and External Merge is eliminated in this model, as they are genuinely homogeneous Merge through free-MERGE operating on workspace(s). Importantly, under the current model, the timing of searching across workspaces is restricted by phasal transfer; on the other hand, certain deviant structures can be ruled out by Form Copy. We will show how parasitic gaps, the reconstruction pattern in A-movement, Chinese cleft sentences, and Chinese tag questions are derived under this model. Keywords: workspace, MERGE, internal merge, sideward movement, resource restriction, transfer, phases