Uniform and Non-Uniform Aspects of Pro-Drop Languages

Abstract

Abstract In a recent paper, Alexiadou and Anagnostopoulou (1998) put forth an approach to the pro-drop parameter and the Extended Projection principle (EPP), according to which (1) EPP is universal and is understood as a D feature on I (Chomsky 1995) and (2) pro-drop languages satisfy this feature via A movement to I owing to the pronominal nature of their verbal agreement. In these languages A movement to spec, IP is not needed, and all movement to the preverbal position is A’-movement. Non-pro-drop languages, however, necessarily move or merge a DP in spec, IP to check EPP.