V≥2 in Basque

This paper analyzes quasi-verb second (V2) effects in Basque. We show that Basque instantiates a typological prediction of the most widely assumed theory of V2, namely that V2 is a conspiracy of an [uV] on a C-field head attracting the verb and an EPP feature on this same head attracting the closest satellite XP. General considerations suggest that these two features should vary independently across languages, and if so, we expect the possibility of a language with EPP movement to the left periphery but not verb movement. We argue that this combination of properties fits the V≥2 pattern of Basque root clauses, and develop an analysis of the left periphery of Basque root clauses that expresses these restrictions.