On Economy In Minimalist Syntax

A variety of economy principles and conditions have been proposed and discussed in minimalist syntax. The whole range of economy conditions and the interrelations between them have just begun to be charted.The main purpose of the thesis is to discuss some economy metrics or economy conditions in order to have a general idea of their loci within the minimalist optimal design of language. It begins with the basic questions such as How are these metrics or conditions defined?, Where do they come from?, and How do they account for language phenomena?, and proceeds to find out why they are proposed and what the minimalist rationale behind is. In addition, the underlying economy considerations are also studied.Based on Collins's framework, his outline, and Radford's identification (introduced in Part 1), the thesis is compartmentalized into three parts. Part 2 evaluates different types of operation by an economy metric. The discussion includes merger, Jo-support, movement, attraction and pied-piping. Movement is compared with the other four respectively. Part 3 shows and discusses some economy conditions on derivations and representations—Last Resort and its narrow forms (Greed, Enlightened Self Interest and Suicidal Greed), Minimality, global versus local economy, Procrastinate and Full Interpretation. In addition, the loci of these conditions are identified within the minimalist framework. Part 4 tentatively explores the root of economy underlying minimalism. By focusing on two types of economy considerations (methodological economy and linguistic economy), it shows that economy in minimalism is embedded in the core natural sciences. In addition, the thesis also includes the discussion of some criticism of economy in minimalist syntax.