Against verb-stranding VP-ellipsis in Japanese: reply to Funakoshi (2016)

Abstract Japanese has a deletion operation, called argument ellipsis, that targets arguments (Oku in A theory of selection and reconstruction the minimalist program, 1998). The operation does not apply to adjuncts, thus, adjuncts are unelidable. Funakoshi (J East Asian Linguist 25(2):113–42, 2016), following footsteps Otani Whitman (Linguist Inquiry 22:345–58, 1991), argues can be elided when V-stranding VP-deletion applies. This article refutes Funakoshi’s proposal. Under rigorous control, generally unelidable even context strongly favors adjunct inclusive interpretation, showing language lacks VP-deletion. It is also shown that, for small number speakers who permit interpretation sensitive island constraints. observation attributed covert right dislocation (Tanaka J 37:551–79, 2001), marginally available such speakers.