ABSTRACT
The chapters in this volume deal with many topics, but five general themes emerge that cut across the particulars of each. First is the idea that syntax is not just about linear order; some of the early chapters argue that syntactic representations contain elements that are not linearly ordered with respect to each other. Second is the idea that syntax does not impose arbitrary constraints. Some chapters discuss constraints that have been proposed on the relation between θ-roles and case, arguing that these are not well grounded empirically and should be rejected. Third is the idea that syntactic structure closely follows conceptual structure. This is explored particularly with regard to the external argument, which has been argued to be distinct from true arguments of the verb and which several chapters herein argue shows syntactic behavior consistent with that. Fourth is the idea that a choice in one area of the grammar can have consequences in another. It is argued across several chapters that the way in which a language represents subjects can have consequences for the way that wh-questions are formed. Fifth is the idea that dependencies in syntax, especially filler-gap dependencies, are hard, as may be seen in terms of the grammar, the processor, and acquisition.
