This paper discusses the main minimalist theory within the Minimalist Program, something I dub the (Weak) Merge Hypothesis (MH). (1) The (Weak) Merge Hypothesis (MH): Merge is a central G operation. I suggest that we extend (1) by adding to it a general principle that I dub the Fundamental Principle of Grammar (FPG). (2) The Fundamental Principle of Grammar (FPG): α and β can be grammatically related. (G-related) only if α and β have merged. Adding (1) and (2) gives us the Strong Merge Hypothesis. (3) The Strong Merge Hypothesis (SMH): All grammatical dependencies are mediated by Merge. SMH has some interesting consequences which the rest of the paper briefly reviews. Highlights include the Movement Theory of Construal, The Periscope Property on selection, as well as preserving the standard results from the Weak Merge Hypothesis.

中文翻译：

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扩展合并假说和基本语法原则

本文讨论了极简主义计划中的主要极简主义理论，我将其称为（弱）合并假设 (MH)。（1）（弱）合并假设（MH）：合并是一个中心 G 操作。我建议我们扩展 (1)，向它添加一个我称之为基本语法原则 (FPG) 的一般原则。(2) 语法基本原则(FPG)：α 和β 可以在语法上相关。（G 相关）仅当 α 和 β 合并时。将（1）和（2）相加给出了强合并假设。(3) 强合并假设 (SMH)：所有语法依赖都由 Merge 介导。SMH 有一些有趣的结果，本文的其余部分对其进行了简要回顾。亮点包括解释运动理论、潜望镜选择属性，以及保留弱合并假设的标准结果。