We propose an analysis of Dutch cross-serial
dependencies and related constructions based on minimal assumptions about phrase
structure. We argue that there is no need to assume the existence
of a constituent containing a ``verb cluster'' or ``verbal
complex''. Furthermore,
in clauses with normal (non-extraposed and non-topicalized) word order
there are no (full or partial)
VP's. Instead, all elements of a
cross-serial dependency construction are directly dominated by
S. The analysis is formulated in terms of
Head-driven Phrase Structure Grammar ([
23,
24]), and makes
crucial use of argument inheritance ([
8]). We
demonstrate that our analysis not only accounts for the basic word order in
cross-serial dependency constructions, but also for instances of partial
extraposition and partial topicalization of
VP's. We
also show that a recent version of the
HPSG binding theory is fully
compatible with our analysis. Finally, we demonstrate how verb
sequences in which the strictly cross-serial word order is not obeyed
can be accounted for.
