Double object constructions in an Agr-less Minimalist Framework (Chomsky, Arabic)

I will show that the double object construction in Arabic lends empirical support to Chomsky's (1995) Agrless Minimalist Framework. Since the driving force behind the Minimalist Program is Economy of derivation and representation, then contrary to the popular assumptions there is no need to postulate Agr functional projections whether external or internal to the VP. I will account for double object constructions in Arabic by assuming a Larsonian shell analysis. I will also propose that the process of Merge can play a checking role in checking the objective case of double objects in Arabic. © 1998, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.