On the quantified determiner phrase and quantifier float in Modern Standard Arabic

Abstract

This article provides a minimalist account to the morpho-syntax of the quantified D(eterminer) P(hrase) and quantifier float in Modern Standard Arabic. Having surveyed previous accounts, it proves that the prenominal structure is unmarked from which the postnominal is derived, and that the quantifier float is derived subsequently from the latter. The patterns are semantically similar. The pronominal clitic on the postnominal and floating quantifiers is a minimal copy left in the original merge position of the moved DP in the postnominal structure. The floating quantifier occupies the spec/vP position. When the subject DP undergoes movement to a preverbal position, the quantifier is left floating. When it is used with a transitive verb, the quantifier can occur after the object because the latter moves to an outer specifier of vP, across the quantifier position in spec/vP, to satisfy an EPP feature of the Light v.

Keywords

• EPP feature
• minimalism
• Modern Standard Arabic
• resumptive pronoun
• quantified DP
• quantifier float