Covert syntax

Covert syntax is a notion in the Minimalist Program. Covert syntax is that part of syntax which is ordered after Spell-Out, i.e. leaves no traces in the sound structure of a language.

Comment

Overt syntax is what is ordered before Spell-Out, hence is reflected in the sound structure.

Link

Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics

Reference

• Chomsky, Noam A. 1995. The Minimalist Program. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.