Notes on Case Stacking and Pseudo-ECM Constructions*

This study investigates the mechanisms for licensing structural cases within a minimalist framework, focusing on two key approaches: case-by-agreement and the dependent case. The case-by-agreement model assigns grammatical cases through agreement with functional heads, such as T or v, based on feature matching via the Agree operation. In contrast, the dependent case approach posits that case assignment is determined by the presence of competing nominals within a local domain. By examining case stacking and pseudo-ECM(exceptional case marking) constructions in Korean, this study demonstrates the limitations of case-by- agreement in accounting for unexpected case marking, such as accusative-marked subjects. The dependent case model, with its relational view of case, offers a more flexible explanation, particularly for complex phenomena such as Korean case stacking. Additionally, parallels between PP/NP subjects in English and major/grammatical subjects in Korean suggest universal principles of case assignment and subject behavior. This study argues that the dependent case approach provides a more robust, minimalist-consistent framework for analyzing cross-linguistic case phenomena.