Verb copying in Mandarin Chinese
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Lisa Lai-Shen Cheng
Abstract
This chapter examines the ambiguity in resultative constructions with verb copying in Mandarin Chinese (resultative de-clauses and resultative compounds) and argues that the ambiguity is the result of two different derivations, which have in common the fact that more than one copy of the verb is phonetically realized. It is argued that both standard movement and sideward movement (in the sense of Nunes 2001, 2004 ) are used for verb copying in resultative de-clauses, leading to different interpretations. In the case of standard movement, the subject of the resultative clause is raised to the matrix clause, accompanied by verb movement, yielding an object-result reading. In the case of subject-result reading, ergativity shift is involved and the subject of the resultative clause becomes the subject of the matrix clause. In the latter case, the verb is copied to accommodate a thematic noun phrase associated with a verb (via sideward movement). For both readings, due to a modifi ed structure in the lower copy, both copies are allowed to be pronounced, without violating the LCA. Using data from verb copying in resultatives, the chapter further examines how copying is restricted to avoid unwanted copying, lending independent support to Hornstein and Nunes' (2002) proposal that the copy operation may be triggered by θ-requirements.
Abstract
This chapter examines the ambiguity in resultative constructions with verb copying in Mandarin Chinese (resultative de-clauses and resultative compounds) and argues that the ambiguity is the result of two different derivations, which have in common the fact that more than one copy of the verb is phonetically realized. It is argued that both standard movement and sideward movement (in the sense of Nunes 2001, 2004 ) are used for verb copying in resultative de-clauses, leading to different interpretations. In the case of standard movement, the subject of the resultative clause is raised to the matrix clause, accompanied by verb movement, yielding an object-result reading. In the case of subject-result reading, ergativity shift is involved and the subject of the resultative clause becomes the subject of the matrix clause. In the latter case, the verb is copied to accommodate a thematic noun phrase associated with a verb (via sideward movement). For both readings, due to a modifi ed structure in the lower copy, both copies are allowed to be pronounced, without violating the LCA. Using data from verb copying in resultatives, the chapter further examines how copying is restricted to avoid unwanted copying, lending independent support to Hornstein and Nunes' (2002) proposal that the copy operation may be triggered by θ-requirements.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- From trace theory to copy theory 1
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Part I. The copy theory of movement on the PF-side
- The copy theory of movement 13
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Part II. On multiple realization of copies
- Double realization of verbal copies in European Portuguese emphatic affirmation 77
- On fusion and multiple copy spell-out 119
- Verb copying in Mandarin Chinese 151
- Dutch 's-prolepsis as a copying phenomenon 175
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Part III. On lower copy realization
- Free word order and copy theory of movement 219
- Variable pronunciation sites and types of wh -in-situ 249
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Part IV. Further issues
- Cyclic chain reduction 291
- Agreement with (the internal structure of) copies of movement 327
- Pronouns in a Minimalist Setting 351
- Index 387
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- From trace theory to copy theory 1
-
Part I. The copy theory of movement on the PF-side
- The copy theory of movement 13
-
Part II. On multiple realization of copies
- Double realization of verbal copies in European Portuguese emphatic affirmation 77
- On fusion and multiple copy spell-out 119
- Verb copying in Mandarin Chinese 151
- Dutch 's-prolepsis as a copying phenomenon 175
-
Part III. On lower copy realization
- Free word order and copy theory of movement 219
- Variable pronunciation sites and types of wh -in-situ 249
-
Part IV. Further issues
- Cyclic chain reduction 291
- Agreement with (the internal structure of) copies of movement 327
- Pronouns in a Minimalist Setting 351
- Index 387
