On the Locus of Asymmetry in UG

Abstract

In this article I advance a hypothesis concerning the locus of asymmetry in the grammar. I argue that the fundamental operation of Narrow Syntax (Merge) should be formulated in a symmetric form, and that all the sources of asymmetries should be relegated to the point of cyclic transfer (Cyclic Spell-Out, in a phase-based model).

Keywords

• Asymmetry
• Merge
• Phase
• Spell-Out