Phi-Feature Copying in Standard Arabic Syntax

This paper addresses copying in Standard Arabic. The researchers contend that in addition to the fact that the highest link is usually phonetically realized, copies in Arabic may be pronounced instead of their heads without causing the derivation to crash. In addition, they argue that Arabic sometimes comes with a phonological pronominal element that is purely a copy of ф-features of the subject. The paper also illustrate how the copy theory of movement can help solve ambiguous sentences by reconstructing copies in the foot or the head of the copy chain. Applying the binding principles, the study shows that reconstructions of copies clarify the underlying semantic and syntactic structures. It explains that in most cases, copy operations either add new semantic and/or syntactic features or lead to different interpretations. Focusing on the pronunciation of lower copies, the study discusses Detached Accusative Object Pronouns and Attached Accusative Object pronouns. It is shown that these copy operations are congruent with the minimalist program.