From the Origins of Government and Binding to the Current State of Minimalism

Abstract

This chapter provides a review of the current Chomskyan approach to the study of human language, known as the Minimalist Program. It offers an overview of the central ideas that were central in shaping the program, in particular Government and Binding Theory. It presents an outline of what the essential ideas of the program are, focusing in particular on how the Minimalist Program is seen as a natural development of Government and Binding Theory. Then it discusses a few current developments within the program. In general, the chapter aims to provide an overview in broad strokes, and therefore it focuses on conceptual and theoretical issues rather than technical or empirical results.