| X-bar Theory |
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Information AboutX-bar Theory |
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The letter X is used to signify an arbitrary Lexical Category ; when analyzing a specific utterance, specific categories are assigned. Thus, the X may become an N for Noun , a V for Verb , or a P for Preposition . The term ''X-bar'' is derived from the notation representing this new structure. Certain structures are represented by X (an X with an overbar). Because this is difficult to typeset, this is often written as X′, using the ''prime'' symbol. In English, however, this is still read as "X bar". The notation XP stands for ''X Phrase'', and is equivalent to ''X-bar-bar'' (X with a double overbar), written X″, usually read aloud as ''X double bar''. CORE CONCEPTS There are three "syntax assembly" rules which form the basis of X-bar theory. These rules can be expressed in English, as "rewrite" rules (useful for programmers), or visually as Parse Tree s. All three representations are presented below. 1. An X Phrase consists of an optional Specifier and an X-bar, in any order: XP → (specifier), X
2. One kind of X-bar consists of an X-bar and an Adjunct , in either order: (X → X, adjunct) Not all XPs contain X′s with adjuncts, so this rewrite rule is "optional".
3. Another kind of X-bar consists of an X (the Head of the phrase) and any number of Complements (possibly zero), in any order: X → X, (complement...)
(a head-first and a head-final example showing one complement) HOW THE RULES COMBINE The following diagram illustrates one way the rules might be combined to form a generic XP structure. Because the rules are recursive, there is an infinite number of possible structures that could be generated, including smaller trees that omit optional parts, structures with multiple complements, and additional layers of XPs and X′s of various types.
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