The Categorial Status Of The Definite Article In Phase

The present thesis carries a study on the categorial status of the definite article within the framework of phase theory. Abney's (1987) DP hypothesis serves as a basis for researchers to conduct the syntactic study of the definite article under the DP framework.At the very beginning, I identify the definite article as the only determiner, while other prenominal elements take up different positions and each is endowed with a certain name. The definite article is definitely a functional category. And about the syntactic status of the definite article, there are two approaches: head of DP; SpecDP. Several researchers have gone somewhere on the two opinions. To solve the problems unsettled in the old framework, I tentatively turn to the latest achievement of generative grammar—phase theory, providing us with a new horizon in the study of syntax. I claim that the definite article takes up the head position of D. For the double determination phenomenon in Scandinavian languages, I assume that the affixal article is in the head position of n; when the definite article co-occurs with the proper noun, N-to-D movement needs reconsideration. N can not raise to D, since it has already been occupied by the definite article, but to an intermediate functional projection, viz. the light noun n. I agree with the distinction between the definite article and D position. D is definiteness, but it does not mean that all elements indicating definiteness can take up this position. Further evidences have been given in the rest of the thesis.Inspired by the spirit of universality, I also touch on languages lacking the definite article, claiming that there is always a DP projection no matter whether the language has an overt article or covert article, and the differences are purely morphological rather than syntactic. To work out the derivation of the definite article and other elements it co-occurs in DP phase, data from English, Norwegian, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian are taken into account.