Deep structure (or P-structure) is one of the levels that recognize the representational models of transformational generative grammar. Its utility was to be a primitive and simple structure from which transformations can be made (in the standard model) or the operation "move-α" (in Rection and linkage).
The deep structure is related to the surface structure through the so-called transformational subcomponent of the syntactic component. It is the kind of relationship that, for example, should be expected between an active sentence and its passive form. For example, the sentences "Antanas loves Adriana" and "Adriana is loved by Antanas" mean the same thing using different words. These two statements are superficial structures that are derived from the same deep structure. This difference is what allows us to distinguish the concept of grammaticality from acceptability.
The deep structure is abandoned in the minimalist program by discarding the representational conception of grammar by a derivational model without internal levels, technically the deep structure of principles and parameters would coincide with the first state of the derivational process that leads to the form pronounced (which would be similar to the surface structure).
Deep structure in the standard theoryIn the standard theory, the deep structure is derived from the rules present in the base subcomponent of the syntactic component. It is understood in this model that the deep structure is an active, declarative, positive and canonical sentence from which the semantic interpretation is made. Deep structure in connection and linkage
In Rección and ligamiento, the deep structure is renamed P-Structure, since the term "deep" entailed nuances alien to the ideas of the theory.
The P-structure is not derived from a set of rules, but is the result of the projection of certain lexical units in the computational component. This projection is given through the Theory of X 'and the Theory-θ (or thematic theory).
Unlike the standard model, rection and linkage assigns semantic interpretation about the S-structure (the renamed surface structure), leaving as the only function for the P-Structure to be the representation on which the displacements of constituents are made. Relevant bibliography
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