New Findings in Modern Irish

This paper presents new findings in Modern Irish which will provide insights into the current theory of syntax. There are three findings reported in this paper: (1) the subject/object asymmetry in wh-extraction; (2) the (non-)superiority effect; and (3) the syntactic property of the adjunct wh-phrase cén fáth 'why.' Based on these findings, we suggest (1) that the Minimal Link Condition from the viewpoint of the goal/attractee should be kept in grammar, (2) that it is necessary to define equidistance from the viewpoint of the probe/attractor, and (3) that cén fáth 'why' is only inserted at the SPEC of a [+Q] COMP, and never undergoes overt movement, so that LF lowering must be allowed in the theory of grammar.