Default unification: online vs. offline

[Stephen M. Wechsler]

While we're on this general topic, I wonder if someone could tell me
why the feature 'ANY' has disappeared from HPSG, or whether it still
exists in some other guise.  The idea, if I remember right, is
essentially like an LFG constraining equation.  ANY must unify with
something, or the representation is ill-formed.  So it is sort of an
output filter.  Is there a profound theoretical problem with this
idea?  If so, then why doesn't LFG have the same problem?  This
device is very useful for certain applications.

Steve

--

Stephen Wechsler, Assoc.Prof. |   http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~wechsler/
Linguistics Dept.             |   Calhoun Hall 403
University of Texas           |   direct ph. (512) 232-7683
Austin, TX 78712-1196         |   wechsler at mail.utexas.edu
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