Presented by group 5

Minimalist
Program
by Noam Chomsky
Group Members

Ardan Hafaris Hendrianto Tuajo Musfira Hidayat Elza Awalia Muzakkir

Member Member Member Member
Introduction

The Minimalist Program is a theoretical framework that builds on earlier

models of generative grammar. Its primary goal is to simplify and streamline
our understanding of language by focusing on its most essential components.
General Consideration
Minimizing Cognitive
Load:
Language systems prioritize Pi
efficient communication, aiming
to minimize cognitive effort
while maximizing
understanding. Economy in Language:
Another vital idea in minimalism is
economy, where the language
faculty strives to generate
Universal Grammar: sentences in the simplest and
UG is composed of universal most efficient way possible.
principles that apply across all
languages, like the need for
hierarchical structure, and
parameters, which account for
variations.
Interface Systems
A-P (Articulatory-Perceptual)
Manages the physical aspects of language, such as
sound production and perception.

C-I (Conceptual-Intentional)
Interprets meaning, logic, and intent behind linguistic
expressions.

Lexicon
A mental dictionary, storing words along with their
grammatical properties.

Computational System
The computational system takes these lexical items
and combines them into syntactic structures.
Minimalist
Assumptions
Simplicity as Design:
Minimalism is grounded in the principle of
simplicity. The Minimalist Program posits that
linguistic structures can be generated
directly at the interface levels, A-P and C-I,
without additional steps, which challenge the
previous approach (generative grammar)
X-Bar Theory The X-Bar framework organizes sentences hierarchically:

Head Complement Specifier

The core component of a phrase Elements that provide necessary Optional elements that add
that determines its type (e.g., information to complete the additional information about the
noun, verb, adjective). meaning of the head. head but are not essential for its
core meaning.
Local Relation
1.Head-Complement: XP (Sentence)
• Verb (ate) links directly / \

to its object (an apple). Spec X'

1.Specifier-Head: (She) \
X (VP)
• Subject (She) connects
/ \
to the verb (ate). • XP is the phrase itself.
Head Complement • ZP is the specifier.
• X' represents the
(ate) (an apple) intermediate projection.
• X is the head
• YP is the complement.
 Basic Concept of
•Merge
Merge combines two syntactic objects into a new
hierarchical structure.
• Properties of Merge:
⚬ Binary: Combines two elements at a time.
⚬ Recursive: Outputs can feed into further Merges.
⚬ Hierarchical: Captures relationships between elements.
Basic Concept of
Example: “read books”
Merge

• Merge creates a Verb Phrase (VP).

• Lexical items:
⚬ Verb (v): “read,” the head of the phrase
⚬ Noun (n): “books”
⚬ Hierarchical: Captures relationships between elements.
Basic Concept of
Merge
Example: “John read books”

• Merge creates a Tense Phrase (TP).

• Lexical items:
⚬ Noun (n): “John”
⚬ VP: “read books”
Economy and
Movement
Minimal Derivation
Syntactic operations should occur only when necessary to avoid
unnecessary complexity. This principle includes:
• Last Resort: Movements should only happen if they lead to a legitimate
structure at the interfaces of syntax and semantics.
• Economy of Derivation: This principle advocates for the shortest possible
derivation paths, meaning fewer steps and simpler movements are
preferred to maintain clarity and reduce redundancy in syntactic
structures .
Key Properties of
Merge
Syntax
Simplicity: Universality: Representation:

Replaces complex rules Captures relationships

with universal operation. Applicable across all between subjects,
languages. predicates, and objects.
D-Structure
Definition:
• Represents the deep syntax of a sentence.
• Interface between lexicon and computational system.

Role in Traditional Models:

Generated first, then transformed to surface forms.

Challenges:
Redundant under Minimalist assumptions.

Example:
John loves Mary as the deep structure for:
• Passive: Mary is loved by John.
Eliminating D-
Structure Single Level of
Streamlined Syntax Focus on Efficiency
Representation

Chomsky argues that the All syntactic operations occur Aims for a more efficient
distinction between D- within one level, focusing on understanding of how
structure (deep structure) derivation that interfaces language operates without
and S-structure (surface with: relying on separate D-
structure) is unnecessary. • Phonological Form (PF) structures.
• Logical Form (LF)
S-Structure
Definition:
Represents surface syntax before reaching A-P and C-I.

Role in Traditional Models:

Crucial for phonetic and logical interpretation.

Challenges:
Unnecessary if interfaces can interpret directly.

Example:

Question formation:
• S-Structure: Who does John love?
• Minimalist: Directly interprets at interface.
Eliminating S-
Structure
Elimination of Redundancy
Chomsky argues that maintaining both Deep Structure (D-structure) and
Surface Structure (S-structure) is unnecessary for understanding syntax.

Single Level of Representation

Syntax operates with a single level that directly interfaces with:
• Phonological Form (PF)
• Logical Form (LF)

Focus on Interface Conditions

The goal is to create structures that feed into PF and LF without needing
separate levels like S-structure.
Challenges to the Need for S-
Structure
Arguments Against S-Structure Conditions:
To show that S-Structure might not be necessary, we need to demonstrate that
its conditions are substantial but not compelling.

Counterarguments Against Necessity of S-Structure:

Evidence Type Analysis:
1.LF Movement and Interpretation:
⚬ Some argue that interpretation-related conditions can apply only at interface levels like PF and LF
rather than requiring an intermediate level such as S-Structure.
⚬ For example, binding theory conditions must sometimes apply before movement occurs; however,
this doesn’t necessarily mean they require S-Structure specifically
2.Full Interpretation Condition:
⚬ At both PF and LF, representations must satisfy Full Interpretation for convergence.
⚬ If any element fails FI, it crashes during derivation.
Economy Principles in the Minimalist
Program
Full Interpretation (FI):
Ensures that every element in a syntactic structure has meaning to prevent
redundancy in representations.

Procrastinate:
• Procrastinate encourages delaying syntactic operations until absolutely
necessary. This reflects a ‘wait-and-see’ approach that avoids
unnecessary steps.
• Last Resort emphasizes that movement, such as NP-raising or Case
checking, occurs only when it’s essential for the derivation to converge.
Economy Principles in the Minimalist
Program
Greed:
syntactic movements serve only the moved element itself.
For example, if an NP moves, it’s because the NP needs something—like
Case—not because it helps another element.

Shortest Link Principle:

aligns with constraints like Subjacency and the Empty Category Principle
(ECP), ensuring that sentences adhere to minimal and efficient paths
during movement.
Operator-Variable Constructions
Pied-Piping and Reconstruction:
• Pied-piping refers to cases where larger syntactic units move together
during operations, like when prepositions ‘drag along’ their
complements.
• Reconstruction, on the other hand, allows us to interpret moved
elements by treating the trace they leave behind as a functional copy.
For instance, when a wh-phrase moves, its trace can maintain the
meaning of the original position.

Binding Theory at LF:

• Binding theory provides constraints on how reflexives and pronouns are
interpreted. For instance, Condition A applies at Logical Form (LF), where
reflexives must be bound within their local domain.
• Additionally, LF cliticization helps explain why reflexives and pronouns
behave differently in various syntactic environments.
Operator-Variable Constructions

Idiomatic Expressions:
Idioms provide a fascinating insight. Their interpretation relies on the
entire phrase remaining intact at LF.
For example, in expressions like ‘kick the bucket,’ meaning is preserved
only if the idiom isn’t disrupted during syntactic operations.”
Conclusion

The minimalist program aims to create a simpler and more elegant way to
understand how sentences are formed, focusing on efficiency and clarity in language
structure. It seeks to refine linguistic theory by ensuring that sentences follow these
principles while still making sense in everyday communication.