The free word order phenomenon

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This volume explores the syntax of free word order phenomena (scrambling) across various languages, including German, Japanese, Kannada, Malayalam, Serbo-Croatian, Tagalog, Tongan, and Turkish, some of which have not been previously studied. It delves into the A- and A'-movement properties and semantic effects of scrambling. The contributions present innovative analyses based on minimalist assumptions, typology of scrambling languages, acquisition by children, information structural factors, and implications for the sentence structure within the IP/VP domain. Empirical articles examine rightward scrambling in Turkish, A-/A'-nature and triggers for VSO-VOS alternations in Tongan, and left-branch extractions and NP-Split in Slavic, contributing to a typology of scrambling languages. Theoretical discussions address the motivations for scrambling derivations, questioning whether it should be viewed as topicalization or focus movement, and how to implement feature-driven analyses to prevent unwarranted derivations. Additionally, the timing of scrambling acquisition in grammar development and its effects on A- and A'-movement properties are considered. This work is essential for researchers and advanced students in generative syntax and typology, particularly those focused on the mentioned languages. Note: A layout error misrepresents the title of one article, which can be downloaded with the corrected title.