An antisymmetric, minimalist approach to Persian phrase structure

In this thesis, I investigate phrase structure in Persian within the Minimalist framework of Chomsky (1995, 1998). Adopting Kayne's (1994) Linear Correspondence Axiom, which examines the relation of hierarchical structure and linear order, I propose a head-initial analysis for Persian, and develop an analysis of SVO word order based on the examination of all lexical and functional categories.;Prior to investigating categories which are common to other languages, I examine the Ezafe Phrase (EzP), a functional phrasal category specific to Persian. The EzP is headed by a morpheme which may be phonetically realized as e/ye or null o. This morpheme regulates the occurrence of more than one complement in DPs/NPs and APs. Like the other phrasal categories investigated, the EzP is shown to follow the Spec-Head-Complement configuration (of the Linear Correspondence Axiom).;My argumentation for a head-initial configuration for Persian, and the implication of a basic SVO word order is based largely on evidence for noun phrases and verb phrases. I provide support for a DP analysis of Persian nominal phrases, and demonstrate that both DPs and lexical NPs display a head-initial configuration. While Persian VPs exhibit both VO and OV word order in unmarked sentences, I argue that they consistently display a head-initial configuration, an analysis which is theoretically preferable to one based on dual directionality. I support my proposal for a head-initial analysis of VPs and a basic SVO word order in Persian with a variety of empirical evidence about verbal complements, including the exclusive post-verbal generation of CP complements, the placement of clitics, and the position of adverbs relative to verbal heads and their complements.;While concentrating on DPs and VPs, I further support my analysis of a head-initial configuration for Persian by examining the Spec-Head-Complement configuration in APs, PPs, IPs and in less detail, the internal structure of CPs and TopPs. On the basis of both theoretical and empirical evidence, I propose a head-initial analysis for all phrasal categories in Persian. In conclusion, I turn to diachronic data which also provides evidence of the Spec-Head-Complement analysis I have proposed for Modern Persian.