231126 Current Issues in Syntax and Its Interfaces (S) (SoSe 2026)

This seminar investigates contemporary theoretical and empirical challenges in syntactic theory, focusing on interface phenomena where syntax interacts with semantics, pragmatics, phonology, and morphology. Some of the topics to be discussed include: the interactions between A vs A’-dependencies (e.g., (copy) raising, hyper-raising, control, hyper-ECM, focus, topic, etc); locality phenomena/conditions (such as phases(-deactivation), islandhood, conditions on extraction domain, etc); elliptical phenomena (e.g., gapping, (pseudo-)sluicing, VPE, etc); agreement asymmetries; and so on. The goal of the seminar is to discuss the state-of-the-art in the selected areas, with the aim of highlighting areas for further studies.

Drawing on recent research papers/articles, we will examine the syntactic analysis offered for the selected areas, and the extent to which the interfaces, coupled with cross-linguistic data, informs theoretical debates. Participants will critically analyze the current literature, lead discussions on the emerging topics, and develop a short research outline addressing unresolved questions. The course emphasizes empirical rigor, theoretical sophistication, and the importance of cross-linguistic data in building adequate syntactic theories.

Requirements for participation, required level

Participants of this course are expected to be knowledgeable in advanced generative syntax and its interfaces, as well as comfortable with analytical theorizing. Although a reference literature is Cedric Boeckx (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Minimalism, 2011, however, a number of relevant papers will be read throughout the seminar.