On the Syntax of Double Case Marking in Standard Arabic

ABSTRACT This study investigates double Case marking in Standard Arabic (SA) through new and existing data. It particularly argues that a nominal element moved from a lower to a higher Case position enters into two Case‐checking relations with two different functional heads, resulting in the assignment of two morphological Cases. Since SA forbids two morphological Cases on a nominal, it is proposed that a lower, uninterpretable Case is valued and deleted at the Logical Form (LF), allowing the nominal to move to a higher Case position and be valued with a higher Case, which is overtly realized at the Phonetic Form (PF). This process is assumed to be governed by non‐simultaneous Spell‐Outs of phases, namely that a construction consisting of two phases shall undergo two LF Spell‐Outs but only one single PF Spell‐Out. The above arguments are supported by empirical evidence from Arabic as well as from other languages.