Head Movement: Analysis of Minimalist Programme

This paper examines issues related to strong features and weak features in head movement which involves a comparison between Modern Standard English (MSE) and Early Modern English (EME) which have experienced the process of language evolution. The difference can be seen in the movement of non-auxiliary verbs (nonauxiliary) limited (finite) that move to the INFL position in the two English grammars. Thus, the analysis of grammar in these two phases of the English language is analyzed according to the Minimalist Program approach in line with the latest development of Generative Transformation (TG) theory. Therefore, this paper aims to describe the process of head movement of nonauxiliary verbs that are limited (finite) to the INFL position in both phases of English grammar development in addition to solving the issues. The findings of the study or the results of the analysis show that in Early Modern English (EME) grammar, nonauxiliary verbs that are limited (finite) move to the INFL position due to the compatibility of strong features brought by the limited verbs (finite). This is proven again by using the power of metaphor proposed by Chomsky. Next, the analysis of findings also found that only verbs that represent the compatibility of strong features (strong features) that match can move to the INFL position, and vice versa for verbs that represent the compatibility of weak features (weak features) that are very weak to move to the INFL position. Among other issues highlighted in this article is also the subject-verb compatibility aspect which involves the relationship between INFL and specifier.