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- Volume 4, Issue 1, 2023
Asian Languages and Linguistics - Volume 4, Issue 1, 2023
Volume 4, Issue 1, 2023
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The semantic constraint on gapping in Mandarin Chinese
Author(s): Ruixi Ressy Aipp.: 1–21 (21)More LessAbstractI argue that gapping in Mandarin Chinese as a deletion operation (cf. Wei 2011; Ai 2014) is administrated by some semantic constraints and the discourse in which they occur, in line with Kuno (1976); Tsao (1979) and Wei (2011). Specifically, I argue that the semantic combination of the VP (cf. Paul 1996a, b, 1999) and the object NP (cf. Li 1998) in gapped sentences cannot be [−generic, -definite]. That is, the VP in the gapped clause cannot have a [-generic] interpretation and simultaneously for the object to have a [−definite] interpretation. If so combined, gapping in Mandarin Chinese will be blocked.
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The syntax of reconstruction in English and Chinese
Author(s): Paul Lawpp.: 22–47 (26)More LessAbstractThe paper investigates a range of facts exhibiting reconstruction effects. We consider facts concerning anaphor binding, variable binding, quantifier scope and binding condition C in A-bar-movement structures (questions, relative clauses and topicalization) as well as VP fronting in English and Chinese. Our findings provide strong support to the copy theory of movement and identify some areas that need further refinement.
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Grammaticalization in progress
Author(s): Kiri Lee and Young-mee Yu Chopp.: 48–75 (28)More LessAbstractKorean and Japanese are typical classifier languages that classify a noun based on the semantic type of its referent with a counter word when plurality is involved. Their plural marking appears to be optional when the noun denotes general plurality, but obligatory when a noun is marked by the semantic feature, [+specific] (Ioni, Ko & Wexler, 2004). In this study, we characterize the so-called ‘optional’ plurality in Korean and Japanese as the manifestation of the grammaticalization. Drawing on actual data, we demonstrate that the plural suffix is increasingly used as a neutral plural marker. The grammaticalization is more prevalent when the nouns are higher in the Animacy Hierarchy (e.g., Comrie, 1989), although there are differences in acceptability between Korean and Japanese. We attribute the differences to the language-specific uses of the plural suffix, namely, Japanese associative reading and Korean event-plural reading (Song, 1997).
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What makes the blocking effect happen?
Author(s): Nini Lipp.: 76–100 (25)More LessAbstractThis study illustrates that for the Chinese bare form reflexive ziji ‘self’, feature conflicts can cause both the local binding blocking effect and the long-distance binding blocking effect. To make long-distance binding possible, a feature-matching requirement between the long-distance antecedent and the reindexed local reflexive must be met, as proposed by Tang (1989). In addition to this, a feature-matching requirement between the verb and its subject and object must also be satisfied, with the latter likely having a suppressive effect on the former. Further research is needed to understand the interaction of these two feature-matching requirements and what constraints exist. Furthermore, the blocking effect can be triggered by a variety of factors, including syntax, feature agreement, pragmatics, discourse prominence, animacy and thematic conditions and other combined effects. Ziji’s odd performance might be the result of their joint efforts. We need to further clarify how these factors work together.
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Review of Chin (2022): Cantonese GIVE and Double-Object Construction
Author(s): Hilário de Sousapp.: 101–111 (11)More LessThis article reviews Cantonese GIVE and Double-Object Construction
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