Transitivity in Chinese experiencer object verbs
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Elisabeth Verhoeven
Abstract
This article discusses semantic and syntactic properties of experiencer object constructions in Chinese. Cross-linguistically, experiencer object verbs have been shown to display some special semanto-syntactic properties which distinguish them from canonical transitive verbs. This has led to the conclusion that experiencer objects are non-canonical objects or even (quirky) subjects in many languages. The present paper investigates the characteristics of experiencer object verbs in Chinese using a number of tests that have been applied cross-linguistically to identify the status of these verbs and their objects. It turns out that in contrast to experiencer object verbs in languages like German or English, Chinese experiencer object verbs display all the semanto-syntactic properties of canonical transitive verbs.
Abstract
This article discusses semantic and syntactic properties of experiencer object constructions in Chinese. Cross-linguistically, experiencer object verbs have been shown to display some special semanto-syntactic properties which distinguish them from canonical transitive verbs. This has led to the conclusion that experiencer objects are non-canonical objects or even (quirky) subjects in many languages. The present paper investigates the characteristics of experiencer object verbs in Chinese using a number of tests that have been applied cross-linguistically to identify the status of these verbs and their objects. It turns out that in contrast to experiencer object verbs in languages like German or English, Chinese experiencer object verbs display all the semanto-syntactic properties of canonical transitive verbs.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Trans-duction 1
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Part I. Form and Meaning
- Types of transitivity, intransitive objects, and untransitivity – and the logic of their structural designs 15
- The interaction of transitivity features in the sinhala involitive 69
- Transitivity in Chinese experiencer object verbs 95
- Non-zero/non-zero alternations in differential object marking 119
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Part II. Acquisition and processing
- Children and transitivity 143
- Grammatical transitivity vs. interpretive distinctness 161
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Part III. Transitivity and diathesis
- The space between one and two 191
- Event-structure and individuation in impersonal passives 209
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Part IV. Crosslinguistic and crosscategorical considerations
- Lability and spontaneity 237
- Transitivity of deverbal nominals and aspectual modifiers of the verbal stem (evidence from Russian) 257
- Individuation and semantic role interpretation in the adpositional domain 279
- Language index 301
- Subject index 303
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Trans-duction 1
-
Part I. Form and Meaning
- Types of transitivity, intransitive objects, and untransitivity – and the logic of their structural designs 15
- The interaction of transitivity features in the sinhala involitive 69
- Transitivity in Chinese experiencer object verbs 95
- Non-zero/non-zero alternations in differential object marking 119
-
Part II. Acquisition and processing
- Children and transitivity 143
- Grammatical transitivity vs. interpretive distinctness 161
-
Part III. Transitivity and diathesis
- The space between one and two 191
- Event-structure and individuation in impersonal passives 209
-
Part IV. Crosslinguistic and crosscategorical considerations
- Lability and spontaneity 237
- Transitivity of deverbal nominals and aspectual modifiers of the verbal stem (evidence from Russian) 257
- Individuation and semantic role interpretation in the adpositional domain 279
- Language index 301
- Subject index 303
