How to apply multiple scrambling in Japanese

Abstract

In this paper, I argue that the phenomena of multiple scrambling in Japanese are best captured by assuming different derivations, depending on whether they involve long-distance or clause-internal scrambling. I argue that long-distance multiple scrambling involves remnant VP scrambling, on the assumption that long-distance scrambling necessarily produces a focus chain, which thus prohibits separate applications of scrambling in multiple scrambling configurations. The evidence comes from (i) long-distance multiple scrambling of wh-phrases that behaves like wh-movement, and (ii) long-distance multiple scrambling of quantificational phrases (QPs) that behaves as if these QPs constitute a single QP. As for clause-internal multiple scrambling, I argue that it may involve separate applications of scrambling as well as remnant VP scrambling. The evidence comes from scope facts that involve two scrambled QPs: when the two QPs undergo remnant VP scrambling, they both take scope in their original positions; when they are separately scrambled, they show a different pattern of reconstruction with respect to scope.