ABSTRACT
This chapter concludes the discussion of SMT and coordination. Humans have the capacity for categorizing and for creating hierarchical expressions. Simplest Merge recursively forms symmetric sets, thereby accounting for the basic properties of human language. Adopting a further mechanism goes against the spirit of SMT. There seems to be no hierarchical order among conjuncts, which is challenging for a syntax creating hierarchies. We suggested an SMT-setting implementing symmetry at SYN and asymmetry at SEM/PHON. Under the view of Transfer as Labeling, coordination can be analyzed as a natural option of the language system. The conjunct sets combined by Merge receive an identical label when the labeling conflict is resolved. Fundamental properties such CL, CSC, ATB and flat readings are shown to follow automatically without resorting to additional devices. Future research should further address the nature of islands. Subjects, adjuncts, and conjuncts are predicted to be islands under the view advocated for. Sets are freely generated by Simplest Merge. This basically leaves two options for islands. Either the sets generated may not receive a proper interpretation, or they cannot be externalized in a particular language. The second option must be considered in the context of language variation and particular languages.
