The Ellipsis of the Verb Phrase in Sanandaji Kurdish: A Minimalist Approach

Abstract

The present paper is about the ellipsis of the verb phrase construction in Sanandaji Kurdish language within the minimalist program. The ellipsis of the verb phrase construction has been challenged in recent studies in Iranian languages and various analyses have been suggested for this structure. These analyses in Persian language include (1) the v-stranding verb phrase ellipsis, (2) the null argument, (3) the DP/NP Ellipsis. Considering the affinity between Persian and Kurdish languages, many of the generalization in the ellipsis of the verb phrase construction in Persian language can be applied in Sanandaji Kurdish language. Therefore, in this article we consider verb phrase ellipsis in Persian language and then, use the result in the analyses of Sanandaji Kurdish language data. Finally, it appears that based on empirical evidence and theoretical considerations, the findings of the research indicate that the ellipsis of the verb phrase construction exists in Sanandaji Kurdish language.

Keywords

• ellipsis of the verb phrase
• v-stranding vp ellipsis
• dp/np ellipsis
• null argument
• sanandaji kurdish