both adjectives and nouns in how they take arguments when functioning as
predicates. Verbs can take arguments directly, whereas adjectives and nouns
must combine with a phase head. Given that most stative predicates are
adjectives and nominal adjectives (Kuno 1973), it is natural to extend the
Baker-Kayne theory and propose that adjectives and nominal adjectives in
stative sentences must be combined with a phase head to take arguments.
This claim is supported by Nishiyama’s (1999) observation that overt mani-
festations of the head combined with adjectives and nominal adjectives appear
in Japanese. Assuming that nouns and adjectives are combined with a phase
head to become predicates, the structure of stative sentences is like that of
(6b). The adjective or nominal adjective is fi rst merged with a light verb v
to become a predicate. Then, the derived verbal complex headed by v takes
its arguments at its edge.^10
3.2 Nominative-genitive conversion
In Japanese, nominative case is optionally converted to genitive case in certain
environments. This phenomenon is known as ga-no (nominative-genitive) con-
version (henceforth, NGC) since Harada (1971). The phenomenon also poses
a problem for the Agree-based case theory, since it shows that a single NP
apparently receives case values from distinct probes. The biunique relation
between a probe and a goal assumed in the theory of Agree is seemingly broken
in this case. This section discusses how various properties of the phenomenon
can be derived by means of the proposed case theory.
3.2.1 Basic properties of nominative-genitive conversion
Optional conversion between nominative and genitive case is typically observed
in prenominal clauses, including relative clauses like (8a) and nominal comple-
ments like (8b).
(8) a. [kinoo Taroo-{ga/no} kaita] kizi-ga sinbun-ni notta.
yesterday Taro-{NOM/GEN} wrote article-NOM newspaper-DAT appeared
‘The article that Taro wrote yesterday appeared in the newspaper’
b. Taroo-wa [kinoo Hanako-{ga/no} kita koto]-o sira-nakat-ta.
Taro-TOP yesterday Hanako-{NOM/GEN} came fact-ACC know-not-PAST
‘Taro did not know (about the fact) that Hanako came yesterday’
NGC has the following central properties, which have attracted considerable
discussion in the literature.^11
(9) a. It is optional.
b. It occurs typically in prenominal clauses.
c. No accusative-genitive conversion is possible.
56 Mihoko Zushi