The asymmetric nature of V2: Evidence from learner languages

Abstract

In the fi eld of Germanic linguistics, there has been a long-standing debate as to the question of how to analyze sentences with verb second (V2) word order. In particular, the question has been whether or not subject-initial and non-subject-initial main clause declaratives should receive the same structural analysis. Here we review this debate and provide new evidence from learner languages involving Norwegian. This evidence, we argue, supports an analysis whereby subject-initial main clauses are derived differently than non-subject-initial clauses. We outline this analysis and discuss some consequences.