How linguistic knowledge can ease learning: Making sense of word order

1
How linguistic knowledge can ease learning
Making sense of word order

• Robert Kluender
• Department of Linguistics, UCSD
• UCCLLT Workshop on
• Grammar and Language Teaching
• June 19, 2004

2
What we mean by grammar

• prescriptive
• attempts to freeze-frame language
• descriptive
• takes language exactly as spoken
• traditional
• description of surface-level behavior
• linguistic
• explanation of how language works

3
What we mean by grammar

• prescriptive
• attempts to freeze-frame language
• descriptive
• takes language exactly as spoken
• traditional
• description of surface-level behavior
• linguistic
• explanation of how language works

4
But is linguistic grammar of any practical use?
5
Claims

• What I am going to present today
• based on real syntactic proposals
• explains a wide array of clausal data
• not easily captured by traditional grammar
• easier than the many clause-specific rules that
  students usually learn

6
Disclaimers

• What I am going to present today
• not my analysis (its standard)
• pertains only to explicit learning
• not a classroom demonstration (would need
  to be didacticized first)
• should not be tried at home
• (all in 60 minutes or less, that is)

7
Omissions

• What I am not going to present today
• phonology
• final devoicing Tag tak vs. Tage
• morphology
• decomposition Widerstandsnester
• Wider stand s nest er
• against stance poss nest plural
• pockets of resistance

8
Syntax
9
Syntax German word order
10
Syntax German word order

• Traditional grammar view
• V-2nd, subject-verb-object word order is taken to
  be basic to German
• All other word orders, e.g.
• V-first order in yes/no-questions
• V-final order in subordinate clauses
• are taken to be permutations of basic
  subject-verb-object (SVO) word order

11
Syntax German word order

• Linguistic grammar view
• V-final, subject-object-verb word order is taken
  to be basic to German
• All other word orders, e.g.
• V-first order in yes/no-questions
• V-2nd order in main clauses
• are taken to be permutations of basic
  subject-object-verb (SOV) word order

12
Syntax German word order

• Whats at stake
• The two approaches make almost exactly opposite
  predictions
• How to decide between them
• If a theory is based on special cases, it will be
  more complicated
• If it is based on the general case, it will be
  more economical and elegant

13
The take-home message with regard to
German word order

• By relying on traditional grammar descriptions of
  surface behavior,
• we may actually be complicating things
  conceptually, making the learning process more
  difficult for our students unnecessarily

14
German word order in main clauses

• Deutsch aktiv (1983)
• In German, the main clause shows normal word
  order. The finite verb appears in second
  position.
• Neue Horizonte, 5th edition (1999)
• In German statements, only the verb has a
  fixed position. The verb is always the second
  element. This is an ironclad rule that must be
  learned well.

15
German word order in main clauses

• Kontakte, 4th edition (2000)
• In German statements, the verb is always in
  second position.
• Vorsprung, Updated version (2002)
  
• Regardless of the position of the subject, the
  position of the conjugated verb remains constant.
  It is always the second element of the sentence.

16
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht
• the verb stands
• an zweiter Stelle
• at second position
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

17
German word order in main clauses

• Deutsch heute, 8th edition (2005)
• In a German statement, the finite verb is
  always in second position, even when an element
  other than the subject (for example, an adverb or
  a prepositional phrase) is in first position.

18
Traditional grammar view of subject position

• Neue Horizonte, 5th edition (1999)
• If an element other than the subject begins
  the sentence, the verb remains in second position
  and the subject then follows the verb.
• Kontakte, 4th edition (2000)
• In German statements, the verb is always in
  second position. If the sentence begins with an
  element other than the subject, the subject
  follows the verb.

19
Traditional grammar view of subject position

• Vorsprung, Updated edition (2002)
• Whenever an element other than the subject
  begins a sentence, the subject follows as the
  third element of the sentence.
• Deutsch heute, 8th edition (2005)
• When an element other than the subject is in
  first position, the subject follows the verb.

20
Legend

• first position
• second position
• third position (the subject, if its not 1st)
• final position

21
Legend

• first position second position third position
  (the subject, if its not 1st) a bunch of
  other constituents final position

22
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
• the verb stands at second position
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

23
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
• the verb stands at second position
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

24
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
• the verb stands at second position
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

25
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
• the verb stands at second position
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

26
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.

27
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.

28
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.

29
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle
• at second position

30
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht
• at second position stands

31
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb
• at second position stands the verb

32
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb
• at second position stands the verb
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

33
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb
• 
  
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.

34
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.

35
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.

36
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz
• inthe German mainclause

37
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
• inthe German mainclause stands

38
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
• inthe German mainclause stands
• das Verb
• the verb

39
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
• inthe German mainclause stands
• das Verb an zweiter Stelle.
• the verb at second position

40
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
• das Verb an zweiter Stelle.

41
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
• das Verb an zweiter Stelle.

42
The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht das Verb an zweiter
  Stelle.

43
Legend

• first position
• second position
• third position (the subject, if its not 1st)
• final position

44
Legend

• first position second position third position
  (the subject, if its not 1st) a bunch of
  other constituents final position

45
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb steht
• the verb stands
• immer an zweiter Stelle
• always at second position
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

46
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb stands always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

47
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb stands always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

48
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb stands always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

49
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb must always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz
• inthe German mainclause

50
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb must always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
• inthe German mainclause stand

51
The traditional grammar view
52
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb must always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
• inthe German mainclause stand

53
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb wird immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb will always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
• inthe German mainclause stand

54
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb must always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
• inthe German mainclause stand

55
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb must always at second place
• ? wird
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
• inthe German mainclause stand

56
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb wird immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb will always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen
• inthe German mainclause stand
• müssen.
• have to

57
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb has always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen
• inthe German mainclause stand
• müssen.
• had to

58
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen
• müssen.

59
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
• im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen
• müssen.

60
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
• im deutschen Hauptsatz
• stehen müssen.

61
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
• im deutschen Hauptsatz
• stehen müssen.
• ?When theres more than one verb form in the
  main clause, most of them pile up at the end.

62
Observations (preliminary)

• When theres more than one verb form in the
  main clause, most of them pile up at the end

63
Word order in subordinate clauses

• DLI German Basic Course (1979)
• After subordinating conjunctions, the
  conjugated verb stands at the end of the clause.
• Deutsch aktiv (1983)
• In the dependent clause, the finite verb moves
  to the end of the clause.

64
the finite verb moves to the end of the clause
65
the finite verb moves to the end of the clause
66
the finite verb moves to the end of the clause
67
Word order in subordinate clauses

• Neue Horizonte, 5th edition (1999)
• subordinating conjunctions move the inflected
  verb to the end of the subordinate clause.
• Vorsprung, Updated version (2002)
  
• Subordinate clauses are always introduced by a
  subordinating conjunction, e.g., dass (that), and
  the conjugated verb always comes at the end of
  the subordinate clause.

68
Word order in subordinate clauses

• Deutsch heute, 8th edition (2005)
• Two signals distinguish a dependent clause
  from an independent clause (1) it is introduced
  by a subordinating conjuntion (dass, wenn) and
  (2) the finite verb (fährt, sind) is at the end.

69
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende
• completely atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
• inthe German nextclause stands

70
Legend

• first position
• second position
• third position (the subject, if its not 1st)
• final position

71
Legend

• first position second position third position
  (the subject, if its not 1st) a bunch of other
  constituents final position

72
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende
• completely atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
• inthe German nextclause stands

73
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende
• completely atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
• inthe German nextclause stands

74
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende
• completely atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
• inthe German nextclause stands

75
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• we believe that the finite verb wholly
• am Ende im deutschen
• atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz steht.
• nextclause stands

76
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• we believe that the finite verb wholly
• am Ende im deutschen
• atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen muss.
• nextclause stand must

77
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• we believe that the finite verb wholly
• am Ende im deutschen
• atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen wird.
• nextclause stand will

78
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• we believe that the finite verb wholly
• am Ende im deutschen
• atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz wird stehen müssen.
• nextclause will stand have to

79
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• we believe that the finite verb wholly
• am Ende im deutschen
• atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz hat stehen müssen.
• nextclause has stand had to

80
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• am Ende im deutschen
• Nebensatz hat stehen müssen.

81
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• am Ende im deutschen
• Nebensatz hat stehen müssen.

82
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• am Ende im deutschen Nebensatz
• hat stehen müssen.

83
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• am Ende im deutschen Nebensatz
• hat stehen müssen.
• ?The verbs are piling up at the end of the clause
  again.

84
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
• im deutschen Hauptsatz
• stehen müssen.
• ?When theres more than one verb form in the
  main clause, most of them pile up at the end.

85
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
• im deutschen Hauptsatz
• stehen müssen.
• ?Theres a traffic jam of verbs at the end of the
  MAIN clause.

86
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• am Ende im deutschen Nebensatz
• hat stehen müssen.
• ?The verbs are piling up at the end of the clause
  again.

87
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
• am Ende im deutschen Nebensatz
• hat stehen müssen.
• ?Theres a traffic jam of verbs at the end of the
  SUBORDINATE clause.

88
Observations (preliminary)

• When theres more than one verb form in the
  main clause, most of them pile up at the end

89
Observations (preliminary)

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses (excepting V-2nd in main
  clauses)

90
Legend

• first position
• second position
• third position (the subject, if its not 1st)
• final position

91
Legend

• first position second position third position
  (the subject, if its not 1st) a bunch of
  other constituents final position

92
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende
• wholly atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
• inthe German nextclause stands

93
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, ? das finite Verb
• we believe the finite verb
• ganz am Ende
• wholly atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz
• inthe German nextclause

94
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
• we believe the finite verb stands
• ganz am Ende
• wholly atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz.
• inthe German nextclause

95
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
• we believe the finite verb stands
• ganz am Ende
• wholly atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz.
• inthe German nextclause

96
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, ganz am Ende steht
• we believe wholly atthe end stands
• das finite Verb
• the finite verb
• im deutschen Nebensatz.
• inthe German nextclause

97
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, ganz am Ende
• we believe wholly atthe end
• steht das finite Verb
• stands the finite verb
• im deutschen Nebensatz.
• inthe German nextclause

98
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, ganz am Ende
• we believe wholly atthe end
• steht das finite Verb
• stands the finite verb
• im deutschen Nebensatz.
• inthe German nextclause

99
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, im deutschen Nebensatz
• we believe inthe German nextclause
• steht das finite Verb
• stands the finite verb
• ganz am Ende.
• wholly atthe end

100
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, im deutschen Nebensatz
• we believe inthe German nextclause
• steht das finite Verb
• stands the finite verb
• ganz am Ende.
• wholly atthe end

101
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
• we believe the finite verb stands
• ganz am Ende
• wholly atthe end
• im deutschen Nebensatz.
• inthe German nextclause

102
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
• we believe the finite verb stands
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz.
• nextclause

103
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
• we believe the finite verb stands
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz.
• nextclause

104
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
• we believe the finite verb stands
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz.
• nextclause

105
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz steht.
• nextclause stands

106
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen muss.
• nextclause stand must

107
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, ? das finite Verb
• we believe the finite verb
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen muss.
• nextclause stand must

108
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb muss
• we believe the finite verb must
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen.
• nextclause stand

109
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb muss
• we believe the finite verb must
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen.
• nextclause stand

110
The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause

• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz wird stehen müssen.
• nextclause will stand have to

111
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, ? das finite Verb
• we believe the finite verb
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz wird stehen müssen.
• nextclause will stand have to

112
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb wird
• we believe the finite verb will
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen müssen.
• nextclause stand have to

113
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb wird
• we believe the finite verb will
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen müssen.
• nextclause stand have to

114
Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?

• Wir glauben, das finite Verb hat
• we believe the finite verb has
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz stehen müssen.
• nextclause stand had to

115
Observations (preliminary)

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses (excepting V-2nd in main
  clauses)

116
Observations (preliminary)

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses (excepting V-2nd in both main
  and subordinate clauses)

117
Observations (preliminary)

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses
• The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
  in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
  is present

118
Observations (preliminary)

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses
• The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
  in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
  is present

119
Observations (preliminary)

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses
• The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
  in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
  is present
• ? This looks suspiciously like
  an important generalization

120
The beginnings of a prediction

• If a dass or another word similar to it (a
  complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
  clause,
• will the finite verb appear at the end?
• Dass ich nicht lache!
• that I not laugh
• Dont make me laugh!

121
The beginnings of a prediction

• If a dass or another word similar to it (a
  complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
  clause,
• will the finite verb appear at the end?
• Dass ich nicht lache!
• that I not laugh
• Dont make me laugh!

122
The beginnings of a prediction

• If a dass or another word similar to it (a
  complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
  clause,
• will the finite verb appear at the end?
• ich nicht lache
• I not laugh

123
The beginnings of a prediction

• If a dass or another word similar to it (a
  complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
  clause,
• will the finite verb appear at the end?
• ich lache nicht
• I laugh not

124
The beginnings of a prediction

• If a dass or another word similar to it (a
  complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
  clause,
• will the finite verb appear at the end?
• Ich lache nicht!
• I laugh not
• Im not laughing!

125
The verb always stands in 2nd position in the
German main clause

• Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle
• the verb stands always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz.
• inthe German mainclause

126
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Steht das Verb immer an zweiter Stelle
• stands the verb always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz?
• inthe German mainclause
• ? ordinary V-1st out-of-the-blue
  yes/no- question in a neutral context

127
Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?

• Ob das Verb immer an zweiter Stelle
• if the verb always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz steht?
• inthe German mainclause stands
• ? repetition seeking confirmation that the
  question is correctly understood

128
If only the verb would stay in 2nd position in a
German main clause!

• Wenn das Verb nur immer an zweiter
• if the verb only always at second
• Stelle im deutschen Hauptsatz
• place inthe German mainclause
• stünde!
• wouldstand

129
How unreliably the verb stays in 2nd position in
a German main clause!

• Wie unzuverlässig das Verb an zweiter
• how unreliably the verb at second
• Stelle im deutschen Hauptsatz
• place inthe German mainclause
• steht!
• stands

130
Observations (preliminary)

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses
• The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
  in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
  is present

131
Observations

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses
• The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
  in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
  is present
• The finite verb is in final position in both main
  and subordinate clauses when a complementizer is
  present

132
Observations

• Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
  subordinate clauses
• The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
  in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
  is present
• The finite verb is in final position in both main
  and subordinate clauses when a complementizer is
  present

133
Generalizations

• Verbs act pretty much the same in both main and
  subordinate clauses
• most verb forms occur clause-finally
• verb-2nd is in complementary distribution
  with complementizers
• complementizer present (finite) V-final
• complementizer absent (finite) V-2nd

134
Generalizations (rearranged)

• Most verb forms occur clause-finally in both main
  and subordinate clauses
• Finite verbs also occur clause-finally in both
  main and subordinate clauses when a
  complementizer is present
• Finite verbs occur in second position (V-2nd)
  only when there is no complementizer in the
  clause

135
Proposal

• Since verbs most often occur at the end of
  clauses, why not make that the rule rather than
  the exception?
• Instead of saying that verb-2nd word order is
  normal, why not treat it as the exception to
  the rule instead?

136
Proposal (continued)

• Instead of saying that German has two different
  word orders for main and subordinate clauses,
• say that all verbs occur clause-finally except
  when there is no complementizer present in the
  clause,
• in which case the finite verb occurs in second
  position (and only then).

137
Proposal (continued)

• This is tantamount to saying that
• verb-final, subject-object-verb (SOV) word order
  is basic to German
• verb-2nd (SVO) word order is derived
• this is diametrically opposed to the assumptions
  of traditional grammar

138
Questions

• How do we account for verb-second if its an
  exception rather than the rule?
• Complementizers and finite verbs are in
  complementary distribution are they somehow
  jockeying for position?
• Do complementizers block finite verbs in second
  position because they
  occupy a sentence position that
  the finite verb needs for V-2nd?

139
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?

140
Where do complementizers occur?

• MAIN CLAUSES
• Ob das Verb immer an zweiter Stelle
• if the verb always at second place
• im deutschen Hauptsatz steht?
• inthe German mainclause stands

141
Where do complementizers occur?

• SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
• Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
• we believe that the finite verb
• ganz am Ende im deutschen
• wholly atthe end inthe German
• Nebensatz steht.
• nextclause stands

142
Where do complementizers occur?

• Answer
• Right before the subject of the clause

143
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?

144
Where exactly is second position?

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht das Verb an zweiter
  Stelle.

145
Where exactly is second position?

• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht das Verb an zweiter
  Stelle.

146
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?

147
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?
• Right before the subject of the clause

148
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
  position?

149
Where exactly is second position?

• main clauses
• Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
  deutschen Hauptsatz.
• subordinate clauses
• Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht ganz am
  Ende im
  deutschen Nebensatz.

150
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
  position?

151
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
  position?

152
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
  position?

153
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
  position?
• Immediately after it

154
More basic questions

• Where do complementizers occur?
• Right before the subject of the clause
• Where exactly is second position in German
  clause structure?
• Right before the subject of the clause (but
  after subjects in first position)

155
(less basic) Questions

• How do we account for verb-second if its an
  exception rather than the rule?

156
(less basic) Questions

• Complementizers and finite verbs are in
  complementary distribution are they somehow
  jockeying for position?
• Apparently yes preceding the subject
• Do complementizers block finite verbs in second
  position because they occupy a sentence
  position that the finite verb
  needs for V-2nd?
• Yes, right before the subject position

157
(less basic) Questions

• How do we account for verb-second if its an
  exception rather than the rule?

158
More less basic questions

• More generally, how do we account for the various
  German word orders?
• verb-final when there is
• complementizer present
• verb-initial in yes/no-questions
• verb-second in declaratives
• (subject-first and/or subject-third)
• verb-second in wh-questions

159
Basic sentence structure
160
Elaborated sentence structure (roughly after
Chomsky 1985)
161
Verb-final word order
162
Verb-final word order
163
Verb-final word order
164
Verb-final word order
165
Yes/no-question word order
166
Yes/no-question word order
167
Verb-2nd, subject-3rd order
168
Wh-question word order
169
Yes/no-question word order
170
Yes/no-question word order
171
Subject-1st, verb-2nd order
172
Bonus conditionals
173
Bonus conditionals
174
Bonus conditionals
175
Bonus conditionals
176
Bonus conditionals
177
The problem of separable prefixes

• Wir wissen, dass die Verben sich
• we know that the verbs REFL
• am Ende des Satzes anhäufen.
• atthe end ofthe sentence uppile
• We know that the verbs pile up at the end of the
  sentence.

178
The problem of separable prefixes

• Wir wissen, die Verben häufen sich
• we know the verbs pile REFL
• am Ende des Satzes an.
• atthe end ofthe sentence up
• We know the verbs pile up at the end of the
  sentence.

179
The mystery

• If verb-2nd is the normal word order for German
  clauses,
• what is the prefix doing hanging around at the
  end of the clause?

180
The textbooks solution

• Deutsch aktiv (1983)
• When using a verb with separable prefix in
  German, the prefix is separated from the verb and
  moved to the end of the sentence.
• Neue Horizonte, 5th edition (1999)
• In the present tense and the imperative, the
  prefix is separated from the verb and placed at
  the end of the sentence or clause.

181
The textbooks solution

• Kontakte, 4th edition (2000)
• When you use a present-tense form of these
  verbs, put the conjugated form in second position
  and put the prefix at the end of the sentence.
  The two parts of the verb form a frame or
  bracket, called a Satzklammer, that encloses the
  rest of the sentence.

182
Satzklammer
183
The problem of separable prefixes

• Wir wissen, die Verben häufen sich
• we know the verbs pile REFL
• am Ende des Satzes an.
• atthe end ofthe sentence up
• We know the verbs pile up at the end of the
  sentence.

184
The problem of separable prefixes

• Wir wissen, dass die Verben sich
• we know that the verbs REFL
• am Ende des Satzes anhäufen.
• atthe end ofthe sentence uppile
• We know that the verbs pile up at the end of the
  sentence.

185
The problem of separable prefixes

• Wir wissen, die Verben häufen sich
• we know the verbs pile REFL
• am Ende des Satzes an.
• atthe end ofthe sentence up
• We know the verbs pile up at the end of the
  sentence.

186
The problem of separable prefixes

• Wir wissen, die Verben werden sich
• we know the verbs will REFL
• am Ende des Satzes anhäufen.
• atthe end ofthe sentence uppile
• We know the verbs will pile up at the end of the
  sentence.

187
Bonus separable prefixes
188
Bonus separable prefixes
189
Bonus separable prefixes
190
Bonus separable prefixes
191
Bonus separable prefixes
192
Bonus separable prefixes
193
Bonus separable prefixes
194
Bonus separable prefixes
195
Summary of the analysis

• German has verb-final word order
• Complementizers and V-2nd share the same
  syntactic position
• Inflected verbs move into V-2nd position when
  there is no complementizer present
• Other constituents can move into the preceding
  topic/focus position at will

196
Advantages of the analysis

• Accounts for
• preponderance of clause-final verbs
• verb position similarities between main and
  subordinate clauses
• all clause types (declarative, interrogative,
  conditional, imperative) using one basic
  syntactic structure
• idiosyncrasies of separable prefixes

197
Advantages of the analysis

• simplifies the learning task one
  structure and one rule for verb position in
  all clause types
• covers all verb types (e.g. prefixes)
• does not require much machinery
• subject, verb phrase, complementizer,
  topic/focus, and two movement rules (for verbs
  and for other constituents)

198
But what will I tell my students?

• There are 2 extra sentence positions outside the
  subject and verb phrase
• One is for complementizers or finite
  (inflected, conjugated) verbs
• The other is for any other sentence constituent
• The interaction of these two positions accounts
  for all German word orders

199
But isnt it too hard for students?

• Is it really any harder than the endless array of
  rules that the traditional grammar description of
  German word order requires?
• Since this analysis of word order is
  comprehensive, it would follow students
  throughout their careers, and not be presented
  only once

200
Advantages of the analysis

• allows the language its own natural ordering
  principles and elegance
• allows students to discover the structure of the
  language, reassuring them that there is a system
  to it
• allows teachers to apply scientific method to
  language in the classroom (zero
  equipment or materials costs!)