Case-to-Case movement

Abstract

This squib examines why an argument can move from one Case position to another. I argue that Case-to-Case movement is possible under the Strong Minimalist Thesis where Merge is the sole operation in narrow syntax, relegating Agree to Interpretation (Chomsky et al. 2023). Under this view, movement can happen before Agree. Case-to-Case movement is possible when the low case head moves before Case valuation. As a result, the position which was previously a case position becomes a non-case position, allowing the argument to move for case. Drawing on evidence from Mandarin possessor raising, I propose that Case-to-Case movement is licensed only if the lower Case head has undergone prior displacement, thereby preventing a violation of Case requirements.