ABSTRACT
In Chapter 3 and 4, I have argued that in the E-possessive (i.e., the possessive that is an Existential sentence with possessor Extraction), the possessor is base-generated inside the possessee DP and later undergoes possessor-raising to satisfy the EPP feature of T. However, I have yet to specify in detail the structural properties of the nominal domain. In particular, the question remains as to the exact base position(s) of possessors and how they are associated with the possessee. This chapter discusses a curious restriction posed on the E-possessive in Japanese, and offers an account which goes hand in hand with a particular theory of the structure of possessors. Observe the contrast between (1) and (2). https://www.niso.org/standards/z39-96/ns/oasis-exchange/table">
a.
John ni mega ar-u
John Dat eye Nom be-Pres
‘John has eyes.’ (‘John has good judgments.’)
b.
John ni asi ga ar-u
John Dat leg Nom be-Pres
John has legs.’ (‘John runs fast’ or ‘John has a ride.’)
c.
John ni atamaga ar-u
John Dat head Nom be-Pres
‘John has a head.’ (‘John is brainy.’)
https://www.niso.org/standards/z39-96/ns/oasis-exchange/table">a.
*John ni aoi me ga ar-u
John Dat blue eyexs Nom be-Pres
intended: ‘John has blue eyes.’
b.
*John ni nagai asi ga ar-u
John Dat long leg Nom be-Pres
intended. ‘John has long legs.’
c.
*John ni ookina atama ga ar-u
John Dat big head Nom be-Pres
intended: ‘John has a big head.’
