SYNTACTIC ANALYSIS OF EMPTY CATEGORIES: TRACE THEORY

Abstract

This study conducts a detailed investigation into the nature and function of Empty Categories within the framework of Generative Grammar, with a specific focus on Trace Theory during WH-movement. The thesis is grounded in the theoretical premise that when a grammatical element moves from the Deep Structure to a new position in the Surface Structure, its original position does not remain entirely void; rather, it leaves behind a silent, phonetically null element known as a trace (t). The research analyzes how this empty category functions as a syntactic bridge, maintaining the movement chain and ensuring the transmission of Theta-roles from the verb to the moved element. Without this mechanism, the connection between sound and meaning would be severed. Furthermore, the study discusses the strict constraints imposed on the distribution of these hidden elements, particularly under the Empty Category Principle (ECP), which dictates that a trace must be properly governed to be grammatically valid. Additionally, empirical evidence, such as Wanna-contraction, is presented to demonstrate that empty categories, despite lacking phonetic content, act as active syntactic barriers. Ultimately, the study concludes that empty categories are not merely analytical tools but are integral components of human Linguistic Competence, reflecting the complexity of the mental language faculty.