ligandeina
Ligandeina is a term used in speculative linguistics to describe a proposed class of syntactic units that are theorized to facilitate long-distance binding of features across clauses. The concept is not part of mainstream syntactic theory and has limited support in a small number of papers and thought experiments. It is typically framed as an intermediate binding mechanism that could coordinate information between non-adjacent elements in a sentence.
Etymology and naming: The name ligandeina combines ligare, Latin for “to bind,” with a suffix reminiscent of
Concept and model: In ligandeina-based accounts, ligandeina units are posited as operational elements that project or
Status and reception: Ligandeina remains a fringe and controversial idea. Critics argue that it lacks clear
References and further reading: Discussions of ligandeina appear in speculative or theoretical discussions of long-distance binding,