Michael Yoshitaka Erlewine
Biographic Data
| ID | 812569 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Michael Yoshitaka Erlewine |
| GIVEN NAMES | Michael Yoshitaka |
| FAMILY NAME | Erlewine |
| SIGNATURE | ERLEWINE M Y |
| AFFILIATIONS | National University of Singapore |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2727-8507 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 62 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 25 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Bornean passives in comparative perspective
This paper investigates three types of passives in Lebo’ Vo’, an endangered Kenyah language of northern Borneo (Austronesian), and discusses their implications for linguistic theory and syntactic typology. Passives in Lebo’ Vo’ involve a preverbal analytic marker, with an agent expressed optionally in immediately preverbal or postverbal position. Echoing differences between passives with and without agents in Mandarin Chinese ( Huang 1999 , a.o.)…
Interrogative and standard disjunction in Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese lexically distinguishes the disjunctors in alternative questions (háishi) and in disjunctive assertions (huòzhe), reflecting a distinction that Haspelmath (2007) and others have called interrogative versus standard disjunction. I argue that the two disjunctors share their basic syntax and semantics as junction heads (J) that project their disjuncts as Roothian alternatives, which are then interpreted by a corresponding question-f…
Focus intervention, multiple association, and the unity of focus and wh alternatives
I develop a framework for the compositional semantics of focus association that differs minimally from Rooth (Nat Lang Semant 1:75–116, 1992) in letting focus-sensitive operators optionally pass up evaluated focus alternatives. My proposal is informed by prior work on various complex constructions involving multiple alternative-sensitive operators and alternative sources—including multiple association with a single focus, multiple overlapping ass…
Toba Batak manang
This paper offers a description of the multifunctional morpheme manang in Toba Batak (Austronesian; Sumatra) — as the disjunctor, the interrogative complementizer, and a particle forming wh -based polarity items — contextualized within the broader semantic and typological literatures on such meaning expressions. I also observe a puzzle regarding its form: the form manang diverges substantially from its functional equivalent, barang , as described…
Voice and Extraction in Malayic
In many Malayic languages (western Austronesian), subjects can undergo A’-movement (relativization, WH-movement, focus movement, and topicalization) without any special qualification, whereas nonsubject nominals can A’-move only if the verb appears without a voice prefix. We propose a novel account for the syntax of voice alternations in Malayic languages, synthesizing insights from the prior proposals of Aldridge 2008b and Nomoto 2015, 2021. Ado…
Varieties of Polar Question Bias
This paper describes the use conditions of different polar question constructions in Vietnamese and their consequences for the description and analysis of polar question bias. We argue that the behavior of questions with the final particle à highlights the utility and relevance of the theoretical notion of projected bias for describing polar question bias, distinct from and in addition to original bias based on the speaker's prior beliefs and con…
Ā-Probing for the Closest DP
We consider the typology of attested Ā-extraction asymmetries between core argument DPs and argue that an Ā-probe can be required to specifically target the closest DP. Such an Ā-probe specification is part of Aldridge's (2004, 2008) influential analysis of syntactically ergative extraction restrictions, but has not been widely adopted outside of work on ergative languages. We argue that restricted probing of this form underlies subject-only extr…
Bikol clefts and topics and the Austronesian extraction restriction
Many Austronesian languages exhibit an extraction restriction whereby only one particular DP—the “pivot” argument, the choice of which is reflected by morphology on the verb—can be Ā-extracted. We show that such extraction restrictions can vary between different Ā-constructions in Bikol: local clefting is limited to the pivot, whereas topicalization can target pivots and non-pivot agents but not non-pivot themes of transitive verbs. Following the…
Anti-Pied-Piping
Anti-pied-piping is a widespread but understudied phenomenon where a language targets a proper subpart of the logical focus for focus morphosyntax: for example, focus particle placement or focus movement. We show that anti-pied-piping is attested in over sixty languages from over forty distinct language groups. We present a theory of focus particle syntax/semantics that involves severing the pronounced position of a focus particle and the logical…
Introduction to the special issue on Austronesian linguistics
Binding reconstruction and two modes of copy-chain interpretation
We present a theory for the interpretation of Ā-movement chains at LF in the copy theory of movement where the NP restrictor of a DP Ā-movement chain is interpreted in only one copy. Such a view is motivated for English by evidence from reflexive binding, building on observations in Barss 1986, and its interaction with parasitic gap licensing and weak crossover effects. Our approach offers a means for understanding the classification of Ā-movemen…
A variably exhaustive and scalar focus particle and pragmatic focus concord in Burmese
The Burmese particle hmá expresses cleft-like exhaustivity in some contexts but a scalar, even-like meaning in other contexts. We propose that hmá is uniformly a not-at-issue scalar exhaustive, with semantics similar to that proposed for English it-clefts in Velleman, Beaver, Destruel, Bumford, Onea & Coppock 2012. When hmá takes wide scope, it leads to an exhaustive interpretation which is not scale-sensitive. When hmá takes scope under negation…
Philippine Clitic Pronouns and the Lower Phase Edge
Pronominal paradigms in Philippine-type Austronesian languages show a robust and curious gap: in transitive clauses, pivot arguments and nonpivot agents may have bound pronominal forms, appearing as second-position clitics, but pronominal nonpivot themes must be full, free pronouns. This gap is instructive regarding the orga-nization of the lower phase edge. As cliticization involves a syntactic dependency between the host and argument position a…
Anti-locality and subject extraction
In many languages, Ā-extraction of local subject arguments behaves differently from the extraction of other arguments, for example in triggering specialized morphosyntactic processes or being subject to additional restrictions. I argue that many such interactions are due to an anti-locality constraint on movement, which bans movement which is too short. Subject extraction is often distinguished due to the high canonical position of subjects in th…
Wh-indeterminates in Chuj (Mayan)
This article investigates the varied uses of wh -words in Chuj, an understudied Mayan language of Guatemala. Cross-linguistically, wh -words are commonly used not only for question formation but also in a range of other constructions, including wh -quantification, indefinites, and the formation of relative clauses. In Chuj, we will show that wh -words are used to form indefinites (in certain limited environments), universal quantifiers, free choi…
Even doesn’t move but associates into traces
Clausal comparison without degree abstraction in Mandarin Chinese
Focus Association by Movement
We argue for the existence of covert focus movement in English focus association with only. Our evidence comes from Tanglewood configurations of the form in Kratzer 1991 . We show that Tanglewood configurations are sensitive to syntactic islands, contrary to Kratzer's claims and predictions. We propose that Tanglewood configurations always involve covert movement of the focused constituent-possibly with covert pied-piping-to bind a bound variable…
Extraction and licensing in Toba Batak
I investigate patterns of preverbal fronting in Toba Batak, a predicate-initial Austronesian language of northern Sumatra. Contrary to the claims of previous work on the language, I show that multiple constituents can be simultaneously fronted, though only in limited configurations. I argue that the distinct heads C and T are present in Toba Batak, with their common division of labor, but extraction patterns are restricted by the limited means of…
Vietnamese focus particles and derivation by phase
I show that the focus-sensitive operator chỉ, ‘only’ in Vietnamese is a sentential modifier and required to be as low as possible in its phase while taking its focus associate in its scope. I show that this “as low as possible” requirement cannot be violated even in order to yield a different meaning. Within a phase-based, bottom-up conception of structure-building, I analyze this behavior as the result of sentential focus particles adjoining as …
Low sentence-final particles in Mandarin Chinese and the Final-over-Final Constraint
Elements of Formal Semantics
Yoad Winter's Elements of Formal Semantics is a lucid, well-organized, rather concise, and opinionated introductory textbook of formal natural language semantics. “Formal semantics” here refers to the study of sentence meaning and its tight connection to sentence structure, described with precision using mathematical methods. Elements introduces the central questions, concerns, and techniques of formal semantics, motivated by discussion of succes…
A streamlined approach to online linguistic surveys
Anti-locality and optimality in Kaqchikel Agent Focus
Covert Pied-Piping in English Multiple Wh -Questions
In this article, we argue for the existence of covert pied-piping in wh-questions through a previously unnoticed pattern of intervention effects in Superiority-obeying English multiple wh-questions. We show that the preference of covert pied-piping, unlike that of overt pied-piping, is for movement of larger constituents. We argue that this discrepancy stems from conflicting requirements of PF and LF: overt pied-piping feeds both LF and PF, but c…
Anti-locality and optimality in Kaqchikel Agent Focus
Extraction and licensing in Toba Batak
I investigate patterns of preverbal fronting in Toba Batak, a predicate-initial Austronesian language of northern Sumatra. Contrary to the claims of previous work on the language, I show that multiple constituents can be simultaneously fronted, though only in limited configurations. I argue that the distinct heads C and T are present in Toba Batak, with their common division of labor, but extraction patterns are restricted by the limited means of…
A streamlined approach to online linguistic surveys
Ā-Probing for the Closest DP
We consider the typology of attested Ā-extraction asymmetries between core argument DPs and argue that an Ā-probe can be required to specifically target the closest DP. Such an Ā-probe specification is part of Aldridge's (2004, 2008) influential analysis of syntactically ergative extraction restrictions, but has not been widely adopted outside of work on ergative languages. We argue that restricted probing of this form underlies subject-only extr…
Covert Pied-Piping in English Multiple Wh -Questions
In this article, we argue for the existence of covert pied-piping in wh-questions through a previously unnoticed pattern of intervention effects in Superiority-obeying English multiple wh-questions. We show that the preference of covert pied-piping, unlike that of overt pied-piping, is for movement of larger constituents. We argue that this discrepancy stems from conflicting requirements of PF and LF: overt pied-piping feeds both LF and PF, but c…
Bikol clefts and topics and the Austronesian extraction restriction
Many Austronesian languages exhibit an extraction restriction whereby only one particular DP—the “pivot” argument, the choice of which is reflected by morphology on the verb—can be Ā-extracted. We show that such extraction restrictions can vary between different Ā-constructions in Bikol: local clefting is limited to the pivot, whereas topicalization can target pivots and non-pivot agents but not non-pivot themes of transitive verbs. Following the…
Philippine Clitic Pronouns and the Lower Phase Edge
Pronominal paradigms in Philippine-type Austronesian languages show a robust and curious gap: in transitive clauses, pivot arguments and nonpivot agents may have bound pronominal forms, appearing as second-position clitics, but pronominal nonpivot themes must be full, free pronouns. This gap is instructive regarding the orga-nization of the lower phase edge. As cliticization involves a syntactic dependency between the host and argument position a…
Clausal comparison without degree abstraction in Mandarin Chinese
Anti-Pied-Piping
Anti-pied-piping is a widespread but understudied phenomenon where a language targets a proper subpart of the logical focus for focus morphosyntax: for example, focus particle placement or focus movement. We show that anti-pied-piping is attested in over sixty languages from over forty distinct language groups. We present a theory of focus particle syntax/semantics that involves severing the pronounced position of a focus particle and the logical…
Focus Association by Movement
We argue for the existence of covert focus movement in English focus association with only. Our evidence comes from Tanglewood configurations of the form in Kratzer 1991 . We show that Tanglewood configurations are sensitive to syntactic islands, contrary to Kratzer's claims and predictions. We propose that Tanglewood configurations always involve covert movement of the focused constituent-possibly with covert pied-piping-to bind a bound variable…
Elements of Formal Semantics
Yoad Winter's Elements of Formal Semantics is a lucid, well-organized, rather concise, and opinionated introductory textbook of formal natural language semantics. “Formal semantics” here refers to the study of sentence meaning and its tight connection to sentence structure, described with precision using mathematical methods. Elements introduces the central questions, concerns, and techniques of formal semantics, motivated by discussion of succes…
A streamlined approach to online linguistic surveys
Anti-locality and optimality in Kaqchikel Agent Focus
Covert Pied-Piping in English Multiple Wh -Questions
In this article, we argue for the existence of covert pied-piping in wh-questions through a previously unnoticed pattern of intervention effects in Superiority-obeying English multiple wh-questions. We show that the preference of covert pied-piping, unlike that of overt pied-piping, is for movement of larger constituents. We argue that this discrepancy stems from conflicting requirements of PF and LF: overt pied-piping feeds both LF and PF, but c…
Vietnamese focus particles and derivation by phase
I show that the focus-sensitive operator chỉ, ‘only’ in Vietnamese is a sentential modifier and required to be as low as possible in its phase while taking its focus associate in its scope. I show that this “as low as possible” requirement cannot be violated even in order to yield a different meaning. Within a phase-based, bottom-up conception of structure-building, I analyze this behavior as the result of sentential focus particles adjoining as …
Low sentence-final particles in Mandarin Chinese and the Final-over-Final Constraint
Even doesn’t move but associates into traces
Clausal comparison without degree abstraction in Mandarin Chinese
Focus Association by Movement
We argue for the existence of covert focus movement in English focus association with only. Our evidence comes from Tanglewood configurations of the form in Kratzer 1991 . We show that Tanglewood configurations are sensitive to syntactic islands, contrary to Kratzer's claims and predictions. We propose that Tanglewood configurations always involve covert movement of the focused constituent-possibly with covert pied-piping-to bind a bound variable…
Extraction and licensing in Toba Batak
I investigate patterns of preverbal fronting in Toba Batak, a predicate-initial Austronesian language of northern Sumatra. Contrary to the claims of previous work on the language, I show that multiple constituents can be simultaneously fronted, though only in limited configurations. I argue that the distinct heads C and T are present in Toba Batak, with their common division of labor, but extraction patterns are restricted by the limited means of…
Wh-indeterminates in Chuj (Mayan)
This article investigates the varied uses of wh -words in Chuj, an understudied Mayan language of Guatemala. Cross-linguistically, wh -words are commonly used not only for question formation but also in a range of other constructions, including wh -quantification, indefinites, and the formation of relative clauses. In Chuj, we will show that wh -words are used to form indefinites (in certain limited environments), universal quantifiers, free choi…
Anti-locality and subject extraction
In many languages, Ā-extraction of local subject arguments behaves differently from the extraction of other arguments, for example in triggering specialized morphosyntactic processes or being subject to additional restrictions. I argue that many such interactions are due to an anti-locality constraint on movement, which bans movement which is too short. Subject extraction is often distinguished due to the high canonical position of subjects in th…
Binding reconstruction and two modes of copy-chain interpretation
We present a theory for the interpretation of Ā-movement chains at LF in the copy theory of movement where the NP restrictor of a DP Ā-movement chain is interpreted in only one copy. Such a view is motivated for English by evidence from reflexive binding, building on observations in Barss 1986, and its interaction with parasitic gap licensing and weak crossover effects. Our approach offers a means for understanding the classification of Ā-movemen…
A variably exhaustive and scalar focus particle and pragmatic focus concord in Burmese
The Burmese particle hmá expresses cleft-like exhaustivity in some contexts but a scalar, even-like meaning in other contexts. We propose that hmá is uniformly a not-at-issue scalar exhaustive, with semantics similar to that proposed for English it-clefts in Velleman, Beaver, Destruel, Bumford, Onea & Coppock 2012. When hmá takes wide scope, it leads to an exhaustive interpretation which is not scale-sensitive. When hmá takes scope under negation…
Philippine Clitic Pronouns and the Lower Phase Edge
Pronominal paradigms in Philippine-type Austronesian languages show a robust and curious gap: in transitive clauses, pivot arguments and nonpivot agents may have bound pronominal forms, appearing as second-position clitics, but pronominal nonpivot themes must be full, free pronouns. This gap is instructive regarding the orga-nization of the lower phase edge. As cliticization involves a syntactic dependency between the host and argument position a…
Introduction to the special issue on Austronesian linguistics
Bikol clefts and topics and the Austronesian extraction restriction
Many Austronesian languages exhibit an extraction restriction whereby only one particular DP—the “pivot” argument, the choice of which is reflected by morphology on the verb—can be Ā-extracted. We show that such extraction restrictions can vary between different Ā-constructions in Bikol: local clefting is limited to the pivot, whereas topicalization can target pivots and non-pivot agents but not non-pivot themes of transitive verbs. Following the…
Anti-Pied-Piping
Anti-pied-piping is a widespread but understudied phenomenon where a language targets a proper subpart of the logical focus for focus morphosyntax: for example, focus particle placement or focus movement. We show that anti-pied-piping is attested in over sixty languages from over forty distinct language groups. We present a theory of focus particle syntax/semantics that involves severing the pronounced position of a focus particle and the logical…
Ā-Probing for the Closest DP
We consider the typology of attested Ā-extraction asymmetries between core argument DPs and argue that an Ā-probe can be required to specifically target the closest DP. Such an Ā-probe specification is part of Aldridge's (2004, 2008) influential analysis of syntactically ergative extraction restrictions, but has not been widely adopted outside of work on ergative languages. We argue that restricted probing of this form underlies subject-only extr…
Interrogative and standard disjunction in Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese lexically distinguishes the disjunctors in alternative questions (háishi) and in disjunctive assertions (huòzhe), reflecting a distinction that Haspelmath (2007) and others have called interrogative versus standard disjunction. I argue that the two disjunctors share their basic syntax and semantics as junction heads (J) that project their disjuncts as Roothian alternatives, which are then interpreted by a corresponding question-f…
Focus intervention, multiple association, and the unity of focus and wh alternatives
I develop a framework for the compositional semantics of focus association that differs minimally from Rooth (Nat Lang Semant 1:75–116, 1992) in letting focus-sensitive operators optionally pass up evaluated focus alternatives. My proposal is informed by prior work on various complex constructions involving multiple alternative-sensitive operators and alternative sources—including multiple association with a single focus, multiple overlapping ass…
Toba Batak manang
This paper offers a description of the multifunctional morpheme manang in Toba Batak (Austronesian; Sumatra) — as the disjunctor, the interrogative complementizer, and a particle forming wh -based polarity items — contextualized within the broader semantic and typological literatures on such meaning expressions. I also observe a puzzle regarding its form: the form manang diverges substantially from its functional equivalent, barang , as described…
Voice and Extraction in Malayic
In many Malayic languages (western Austronesian), subjects can undergo A’-movement (relativization, WH-movement, focus movement, and topicalization) without any special qualification, whereas nonsubject nominals can A’-move only if the verb appears without a voice prefix. We propose a novel account for the syntax of voice alternations in Malayic languages, synthesizing insights from the prior proposals of Aldridge 2008b and Nomoto 2015, 2021. Ado…
Varieties of Polar Question Bias
This paper describes the use conditions of different polar question constructions in Vietnamese and their consequences for the description and analysis of polar question bias. We argue that the behavior of questions with the final particle à highlights the utility and relevance of the theoretical notion of projected bias for describing polar question bias, distinct from and in addition to original bias based on the speaker's prior beliefs and con…
Bornean passives in comparative perspective
This paper investigates three types of passives in Lebo’ Vo’, an endangered Kenyah language of northern Borneo (Austronesian), and discusses their implications for linguistic theory and syntactic typology. Passives in Lebo’ Vo’ involve a preverbal analytic marker, with an agent expressed optionally in immediately preverbal or postverbal position. Echoing differences between passives with and without agents in Mandarin Chinese ( Huang 1999 , a.o.)…
Linguistics (22 works) · Philosophy (21 works) · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation (21 works) · Computer Science (19 works) · Mathematics (12 works) · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies (11 works) · Linguistic Variation and Morphology (9 works) · Natural Language Processing Techniques (9 works) · Artificial Intelligence (8 works) · Natural language processing (7 works)