Information structure and OV word order in Old and Middle English: a phase-based approach

Abstract This article re-examines the evidence for OV and VO variation loss of order in historical English, presents a novel unified analysis Old Middle English word based on uniform grammar, with leftward scrambling specific types objects. provides an insightful framework precise how orders differ from orders. We show detail that referential objects involves discourse-given then present phase-based base which undergo feature-driven movement to spec, v P triggered by information structure object. propose this also yields syntactic analysing derivation preverbal quantified negated objects, as well natural explanation stepwise order.