1887
Volume 48, Issue 1
  • ISSN 1810-7478
  • E-ISSN: 2589-5230

Abstract

Abstract

This work investigates the syntax of nominal modification involving the linker in Siwkolan Amis, one of the dialects of Amis, an Austronesian language spoken in Taiwan. Based on the two observed types of NP-ellipsis patterns and the formal licensing condition, I argue that Amis displays two types of modification. Modifiers in direct modification are functional heads projecting extended functional projections of NP, whereas those in indirect modification are modifier phrases base-generated at [Spec, ModP]. This distinction adds weight to J. Wu’s (2003) view that relative clauses and description-denoting modifiers marked by - are clausal modifiers that have a full-fledged CP structure from a cartographic perspective. Furthermore, I argue that projects the Modifier Phrase (ModP) and is a modificatory clitic endowed with a [+] feature that attaches to a head element moving from a lower head position to form a morphological word. Very much in line with Philip (2012), the proposed analysis suggests that is endowed with an interpretative profile in marking a modification relation between an extended functional projection (a modifier phrase) and a dependent word (a modified noun) in the nominal domain. Issues involved in dealing with the structure of Amis complex noun phrases are discussed.

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2022-05-02
2025-02-13
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