On Edge Features and Perfect Extraction

This article investigates this extraction restriction and explores its theoretical consequences for the notion of EDGE FEATURE in the current Minimalist framework. To this end, we confront two types of goals. Our empirical goal is simply to derive the extraction facts laid out in (1), while our theoretical goal is to determine the extent to which Minimalist technology facilitates an adequate explanation of the Nupe perfect extraction restriction. With respect to the article’s theoretical goal, we will advance two positions. First, the existence of Edge Features (Chomsky 2005, 2006) allows for an elegant account of Nupe’s restriction on perfect extraction. Second, contrary to Chomsky’s conception of them, Edge Features come in two varieties, namely, EXTERNAL EDGE FEATURES (inherently active features that drive External Merge) and INTERNAL EDGE FEATURES (dormant features requiring activation that drive Internal Merge).