SELF STUDY

[Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we

stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.] This momentous
decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves
who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a
joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

(…). But one hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the
corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.
And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the
architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution
and the Declaration of Independence , they were signing a promissory
note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise
that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed
the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is
obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note,
insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this
sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a
check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

(…)

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass
until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen
sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the
Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a
rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. Neither will
there be rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his
citizenship rights. [Not until the bright day of justice emerges will the
whirlwinds of revolt shake the foundations of our nation.]

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the
warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of
gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us
not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of
bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high
plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to
degenerate into physical violence. [Again and again, we must rise to the
majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.]
 A
Read this extract from Martin Luther King’s speech “I have a dream”. Decide
whether the expressions in bold are referring or non-referring.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11 B -C

ByC

Decide if the underlined sentences feature instances of subordination, coordination or

both.

In the instances of coordination:

1. Classify the type of coordination.

2. Bracket coordinands clearly and indicate their categories.
3. Indicate if there are instances of ellipsis.
4. Decide the type of syntactic analysis for the coordination: Is there a coordinator
merging in spec TopP? Or a coordinator projecting coordinator phrase?

In the instances of subordination:

1. Classify type and subtype of subordinate clause/s

2. Identify syntactic distribution.
3. Signal operator movement, if applicable.
But one hundred years later, the Negro is still
languished in the corners of American society
and finds himself an exile in his own land.

Classify the type of

coordination

Bracket coordinands clearly

and indicate their categories

Indicate if there are instances

of ellipsis

Decide the type of syntactic analysis

for the coordination: Is there a
coordinator merging in spec TopP? Or
a coordinator projecting coordinator
phrase?

Classify type and subtype of

subordinate clause/s

Identify syntactic distribution.

Signal operator movement, if

applicable.
When the architects of our republic wrote the
magnificent words of the Constitution and the
Declaration of Independence , they were
signing a promissory note to which every
American was to fall heir

Classify the type of

coordination

Bracket coordinands clearly

and indicate their categories

Indicate if there are instances

of ellipsis

Decide the type of syntactic analysis

for the coordination: Is there a
coordinator merging in spec TopP? Or
a coordinator projecting coordinator
phrase?

Classify type and subtype of

subordinate clause/s

Identify syntactic distribution.

Signal operator movement, if

applicable.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted
on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of
color are concerned

Classify the type of

coordination

Bracket coordinands clearly

and indicate their categories

Indicate if there are instances

of ellipsis

Decide the type of syntactic analysis

for the coordination: Is there a
coordinator merging in spec TopP? Or
a coordinator projecting coordinator
phrase?

Classify type and subtype of

subordinate clause/s

Identify syntactic distribution.

Signal operator movement, if

applicable.
This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate
discontent will not pass until there is an
invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.
Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a
beginning

Classify the type of

coordination

Bracket coordinands clearly

and indicate their categories

Indicate if there are instances

of ellipsis

Decide the type of syntactic analysis

for the coordination: Is there a
coordinator merging in spec TopP? Or
a coordinator projecting coordinator
phrase?

Classify type and subtype of

subordinate clause/s

Identify syntactic distribution.

Signal operator movement, if

applicable.
Neither will there be rest nor tranquility in
America until the Negro is granted his citizenship
rights

Classify the type of

coordination

Bracket coordinands clearly

and indicate their categories

Indicate if there are instances

of ellipsis

Decide the type of syntactic analysis

for the coordination: Is there a
coordinator merging in spec TopP? Or
a coordinator projecting coordinator
phrase?

Classify type and subtype of

subordinate clause/s

Identify syntactic distribution.

Signal operator movement, if

applicable.
Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by
drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

Classify the type of

coordination

Bracket coordinands clearly

and indicate their categories

Indicate if there are instances

of ellipsis

Decide the type of syntactic analysis

for the coordination: Is there a
coordinator merging in spec TopP? Or
a coordinator projecting coordinator
phrase?

Classify type and subtype of

subordinate clause/s

Identify syntactic distribution.

Signal operator movement, if

applicable.
 B
Read the text again and identify examples as indicated in the following chart.
When transcribing your examples, signal the boundaries of the constituents
clearly, e.g. by means of square brackets, font type, etc. Folw the example

Name One defining relative clause featuring pied piping

…they were signing a promissory note (R) [to which every

Example
American was to fall heir.] (Paragraph 3)

Type of
constituent /
Defining Relative Clause
Subtype /
Distribution

Full version / Spec ForceP: PP “to which”

Features
involved in
split-CP / Merger Head ForceP: R, [EF], [w-T]
and landing sites
(when PP “to which” originates as an adjunct to the NP “heir” and
applicable)/ OP
moves to spec ForceP
movement
 Name A defining relative clause

Example

Type of
constituent /
Subtype /
Distribution

Full version /
Features
involved in
split-CP / Merger
and landing sites
(when
applicable)/ OP
movement

Name One free relative Clause

Example

Type of
constituent /
Subtype /
Distribution

Full version /
Features
involved in
split-CP / Merger
and landing sites
(when
applicable)/ OP
movement
 Name A matrix imperative clause.

Example

Type of
constituent /
Subtype /
Distribution

Full version /
Features
involved in
split-CP / Merger
and landing sites
(when
applicable)/ OP
movement

Name Topicalized constituent moving to TopP

Example

Type of
constituent /
Subtype /
Distribution

Full version /
Features
involved in
split-CP / Merger
and landing sites
(when
applicable)/ OP
movement
 Name An instance of a topicalized constituent merging in spec TopP

Example

Type of
constituent /
Subtype /
Distribution

Full version /
Features
involved in
split-CP / Merger
and landing sites
(when
applicable)/ OP
movement

Name An instance of Focalization.

Example

Type of
constituent /
Subtype /
Distribution

Full version /
Features
involved in
split-CP / Merger
and landing sites
(when
applicable)/ OP
movement
 KEY: Self-study Practice – Units 1 and 2

1) Decide whether the expressions in bold are referring or non-referring.

[Five score years ago, a great American (R), in whose symbolic shadow we stand
today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.] This momentous decree came as a
great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the
flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their
captivity.
(…). But one hundred years later, the Negro (NR) is still languished in the corners of
American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here
today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital (R) to cash a check (NR). When the
architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution (R) and
the Declaration of Independence , they were signing a promissory note (R) to which
every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as
well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty (NR)
and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America (R) has defaulted on this
promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this
sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which
has come back marked "insufficient funds."
(…)
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering
summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent (R) will not pass until there is an invigorating
autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning.
And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam (NR) and will now be
content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. Neither will
there be rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.
[Not until the bright day of justice emerges will the whirlwinds of revolt shake the
foundations of our nation.]
But there is something that I must say to my people (R), who stand on the warm
threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful
place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds (NR). Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst
for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever
conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our
creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. [Again and again, we must rise
to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.]

2) 2) Decide if the underlined sentences feature instances of subordination,

coordination or both.
In the instances of coordination:
- Classify the type of coordination.
- Bracket coordinands clearly and indicate their categories.
- Indicate if there are instances of ellipsis.
- Decide the type of syntactic analysis for the coordination: Is there a coordinator
merging in spec TopP? Or a coordinator projecting coordinator phrase?
In the instances of subordination:
- Classify type and subtype of subordinate clause/s
- Identify syntactic distribution.
 - Signal operator movement, if applicable.

Answers:
(…). [ ForceP But one hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of
American society] and [ Force P (one hundred years later, he) finds himself an exile in
his own land.
There is coordination in this compound sentence.
Coordinator: and – Copulative Coordination – And Merges as a topicalized conjunction
in spec TopP of the second coordinand.
At the same time, the first coordinand features coordination with the previous
sentences, signaled by merging counterexpectational coordinator “but”. (In this case,
as the context has been omitted, this relation cannot be clearly seen).

[ForceP When the architects of our republic wrote [DP the magnificent words of the
Constitution] and [DP the Declaration of Independence] WHEN] , they were signing a
promissory note [to which every American was to fall heir TO WHICH].

This is a complex sentence that features subordination of an adverbial clause of time (a

free relative clause that is then topicalized) and an embedded defining relative clause
that features pied piping of preposition “of”.

There is an instance of copulative coordination of two DPs (which does not render the
sentence compound). This coordinator projects a CoordP whose spec position is
occupied by one coordinand and a complement position occupied by the other one.
The whole CoordP merges as the complement of the predicate “wrote”.

It is obvious today [that America has defaulted on this promissory note, [insofar as her
citizens of color are concerned.]]

This is a complex sentence featuring two subordinated clauses:

A declarative noun clause complement to the adjective “obvious” and subordination

of an adverbial clause of condition.

This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass [until there is an
invigorating autumn of [DP freedom] and [ DP equality].]

This is a complex sentence featuring subordination of an adverbial clause of time.

Inside this clause there is an instance of copulative coordination at the level of two DPs.
“and” projects a CoordP whose spec and complement positions are occupied by the
coordinands. This CoordP merges as the complement of the P “of”.

[Force P Nineteen sixty-three is not an end], but [Force P (it is) a beginning].

This is a compound sentence in which the adversative coordinator “but” coordinates

two ForcePs featuring ellipsis.

Neither will there be [ DP rest] nor [DP tranquility] in America [until the Negro is granted
his citizenship rights.]
This is a complex sentence featuring subordination of an adverbial clause of time.

There is alternative coordination at the level of two DPs, coordinated by “neither… nor”.
In this coordinator phrase, the head of CoorP is “nor”. In spec CoordP there is [DP
neither rest] and in complement position there is [DP tranquility].

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of [DP bitterness]
and [DP hatred]

This is a simple sentence that features copulative coordination at the level of two DPs.

Sample Answers:

Type of Full version / Features

constituent / involved in split-CP / Merger
Name Example
Subtype / and landing sites (when
Distribution applicable)

Spec ForceP: PP “to

which”
One
defining …they were signing a
relative promissory note (R) [to Head ForceP: R, [EF], [w-
clause which every American Defining
T]
featuring was to fall heir.] Relative
pied (Paragraph 3) Clause
piping. PP “to which” originates
as an adjunct to the NP
“heir” and moves to
spec ForceP.

Spec ForceP: who

This momentous decree
came as a great Defining Head ForceP: R, [EF], [w-
beacon light of hope Rel Clause T]
1. A to millions of Negro Adjunct to
defining slaves [who had been the NP
relative headed WHO originates as the
seared in the flames of complement of the
clause by the
withering injustice]. verb “seared” and the
noun
(Paragraph 1) moves to spec TP to
“salves”
become the structural
subject, and finally to
Spec ForceP.
 Free
Relative
[When the architects of Clause
our republic wrote the
magnificent words of Adverbial Spec ForceP: when
the Constitution and Clause of
the Declaration of Time
Independence], they It merges Head ForceP: R, [EF], [w-
2. One free were signing a promissory T]
as an
relative note to which every
adjunct to
Clause American was to fall heir.
the VP
(paragraph 3) WHEN originates as an
headed
by adjunct to the VP
“signing” headed by “write” and
NOTE: Notice that this the moves to Spec
free relative clause has and then ForceP.
been topicalized. moves to
spec
TopP.

[Let us not seek to satisfy our

Head ForceP: [Imp]
3. A matrix
thirst for freedom by drinking
imperative from the cup of bitterness Main
clause. and hatred.] (paragraph 5) Clause Elliptical subject YOU as
the external argument
of “Let”

DP “one
hundred
years
later”
merges as ForceP: [Decl]
But [one hundred years
an
4.
adjunct to
Topicalized later], the Negro is still
languished in the corners of the VP Spec TopP (2): DP “one
constituent
American society and finds headed hundred years later”
moving to himself an exile in his own
TopP
by the V
land. (paragraph 2)
“languishe
d” and Head TopP: [EF], [w-T]
them
moves to
spec
TopP.
 ForceP: [Decl]

6. An
Spec TopP 1: Conj
instance of Two “and”
a [And] [so] we've come here
today to dramatize a different
topicalized shameful condition. coordinati
constituent (paragraph 2) ng Head TopP 1: [EF], [w-T]
merging in Conjuncti
spec TopP. ons
Spec TopP 2: Conj “so”

Head TopP 2: [EF], [w-T]

Main
Clause ForceP: [Decl]
7. An [Neither will there be rest nor
tranquility in America] until
instance of
the Negro is granted his “neither” Spec FocP: D Neither
Focalizatio citizenship rights. (Paragraph
n. merges in
4)
head DP
pf the DP Head Foc: [st-T], [EF], T
“neither head “will”.
rest”.