Dynamic antisymmetry

A premise: the antisymmetry of syntaxThe crux of Kayne's theory is that hierarchical structure in natural language maps universally onto a particular surface linearization, namely specifier-head-complement branching order.

Hierarchical units are built up according to the principles of phrase structure into a branching tree formation rather than into a linear order.

The LCA is only active when required: in other words, universal grammar is more parsimonious than in the other model, in that it does not impose restrictions when they are not detectable, i.e. linearization before the articulatory-perceptual interface.

The unwanted structures are rescued by movement: deleting the phonetic content of the moved element would neutralize the linearization problem.

From this perspective, Dynamic Antisymmetry aims at unifying movement and phrase structure which would otherwise be two independent properties that characterize all human language grammars.