Nominal phrases from a Scandinavian perspective. By Marit Julien. (Linguistik aktuell/Linguistics today 87.) Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2005. Pp. xv, 348. ISBN 9789027233516. $169 (Hb).
Reviewed by Asya Pereltsvaig, Stanford University
This volume is concerned with the syntax of nominal phrases in Scandinavian, which are renowned for showing a degree of variation that is quite remarkable given the close genetic relations among the Scandinavian linguistic varieties. The greatest variation is found in definite nominal phrases and in the realization of possessors. Other topics, such as predicate noun phrases, are considered as well. The study is set in the framework of the minimalist program. Overall, this book makes an excellent contribution to the study of noun phrases in Scandinavian languages and in natural language in general.
Ch. 1 surveys the functional projections found in a maximally expanded DP and presents the concept of D-identification, namely the idea that whenever the reference of the DP as a whole depends on D, the features of D must be made visible either in Spec-DP or in the D head itself. Ch. 1 also discusses indefinite noun phrases in Scandinavian, since the syntactic structure of these phrases deviates little from their basic structure.
Ch. 2 is concerned with definite DPs, which show a considerable degree of variation within Scandinavian, in particular when adjectives or numerals are present. According to the author’s analysis, for each variety of Scandinavian the syntax of definite DPs depends on the location of (overt) definiteness markers, which can be inserted in D or in a lower head, and on the attraction of various constituents to Spec-DP. Adjectival inflection, which is shown to have a great effect on the syntax of definite DPs, is also considered in this chapter.
Ch. 3 focuses on the distribution of definiteness markers in nominal phrases containing relative clauses. The analysis proposed here is a development of Richard Kayne’s idea that a relative clause is embedded under a DP. This proposal explains why the presence of a restrictive relative clause has consequences for the distribution of determiners, while the presence of a nonrestrictive relative clause does not.
Ch. 4 addresses demonstratives and strong quantifiers. Julien proposes that both types of elements are generated above the DP. The interaction between these elements and the D head, as well as the syntax of pronouns, is considered here as well.
Chs. 5 and 6 deal with noun phrases with possessors, with Ch. 5 focusing on postnominal possessors and Ch. 6 on prenominal ones. J argues that possessors of both types are generated in a Specifier position inside nP, which is the nominal counterpart of the more commonly used vP. The possessor phrases may surface either in their base position or in a higher Specifier position within the possessed noun phrase.
Ch. 7 deals with predicative nominal phrases and compares them to nominal phrases in argument position. It is shown that noun phrases that pass tests for predicative noun phrases in Scandinavian are not necessarily smaller than those that do not. J thus concludes that the contrast between predicative and argument noun phrases is purely semantic: nominal predicates have an intensional interpretation, whereas nominal arguments may be referential.