V- gei vs. double object construction
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Yi-Hsien Liu
Abstract
The present study investigates whether V-gei constructions [V-gei NP NP] have the same underlying syntactic structure as Double Object Constructions (DOC) [V NP NP], using a structural priming paradigm. Native speakers of Mandarin were primed to produce a V-gei, DOC, or a Gei-object Construction (GOC) [V NP gei NP]. They then were given the opportunity to produce either a V-gei, DOC, or a GOC at will. We found that Mandarin speakers produced significantly more DOC and V-gei sentences following DOC primes than GOC primes. V-gei primes, however, did not increase the production DOC or V-gei sentences. We discuss the implications of these results.
Abstract
The present study investigates whether V-gei constructions [V-gei NP NP] have the same underlying syntactic structure as Double Object Constructions (DOC) [V NP NP], using a structural priming paradigm. Native speakers of Mandarin were primed to produce a V-gei, DOC, or a Gei-object Construction (GOC) [V NP gei NP]. They then were given the opportunity to produce either a V-gei, DOC, or a GOC at will. We found that Mandarin speakers produced significantly more DOC and V-gei sentences following DOC primes than GOC primes. V-gei primes, however, did not increase the production DOC or V-gei sentences. We discuss the implications of these results.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
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Part I. The structure of lexical and functional projections
- Finiteness, opacity, and Chinese clausal architecture 17
- Place and distance 77
- “Descriptive complements” are manner adverbials 111
- SVCs in disguise 133
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Part II. Modal verb syntax
- Modal movement licensed by focus 165
- Negative modals and prohibitives in Taiwanese Southern Min 193
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Part III. Syntax-semantics interactions
- Skolemized topicality for indefinites and universal quantifier mei -phrases in Chinese 219
- Chinese comparatives 249
- Head dependency and degree words in Mandarin 293
- Constraints on the representation of anaphoric definiteness in Mandarin Chinese 301
- Noncanonical arguments via the high applicative 331
- Applied objects in Mandarin and the nature of selection 357
- On the syntax of incompleteness 395
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Part IV. The syntax and interpretation of particles
- On the syntax of mirativity 431
- On the mirative marker leh 4 in Taiwanese Southern Min 445
- Non-veridical kaN in Taiwanese Southern Min 479
- Sentence-internal discourse particles in Mandarin Chinese 509
-
Part V. Acquisition of syntactic structures
- V- gei vs. double object construction 539
- Predicting the unpredictable 555
- Index 575
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. The structure of lexical and functional projections
- Finiteness, opacity, and Chinese clausal architecture 17
- Place and distance 77
- “Descriptive complements” are manner adverbials 111
- SVCs in disguise 133
-
Part II. Modal verb syntax
- Modal movement licensed by focus 165
- Negative modals and prohibitives in Taiwanese Southern Min 193
-
Part III. Syntax-semantics interactions
- Skolemized topicality for indefinites and universal quantifier mei -phrases in Chinese 219
- Chinese comparatives 249
- Head dependency and degree words in Mandarin 293
- Constraints on the representation of anaphoric definiteness in Mandarin Chinese 301
- Noncanonical arguments via the high applicative 331
- Applied objects in Mandarin and the nature of selection 357
- On the syntax of incompleteness 395
-
Part IV. The syntax and interpretation of particles
- On the syntax of mirativity 431
- On the mirative marker leh 4 in Taiwanese Southern Min 445
- Non-veridical kaN in Taiwanese Southern Min 479
- Sentence-internal discourse particles in Mandarin Chinese 509
-
Part V. Acquisition of syntactic structures
- V- gei vs. double object construction 539
- Predicting the unpredictable 555
- Index 575
