Question

The structures below represent two interpretations of the compound noun 'Greek history teacher'. Which of the following statements is/are CORRECT? 

 

• A. In diagram (I), 'teacher' is the head of both N₁ and N₃.
• B. In diagram (II), 'history' is the head of N₂, and 'teacher' is the head of N₁.
• C. In diagram (I), 'Greek' is the head of N₁, and 'teacher' is the head of N₃.
• D. In diagram (II), 'teacher' is the head of both N₁ and N₂.

Hint:

For English noun-noun compounds, the \(\textbf{rightmost noun} \) is typically the head. Modifiers combine first, then the resulting phrase combines with the head noun.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B

Step 1: Read the structures. 
- In Diagram I, N₃ merges history (N₄) +teacher (N₅) \(\Rightarrow\) head = teacher (right-headed noun-noun compound 'history teacher'). Then N₁ merges Greek (N₂) + N₃ ('history teacher') \(\Rightarrow\) overall head remains teacher. Hence (A) is true; (C) is false because 'Greek' is not the head of N₁. 

Step 2: Check Diagram II. 
- N₂ merges Greek (N₄) + history  (N₅) \(\Rightarrow\) head = history (compound 'Greek history'). N₁ then merges N₂ ('Greek history') + teacher  (N₃) \(\Rightarrow\) head = teacher ('Greek history teacher'). Thus (B) is true; (D) is false since N₂ is headed by history, not 'teacher'. 

\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (A) and (B)}} \]