Chapter 10. Null object constructions, VP-ellipsis, and sentence interpretation
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Haihua Pan
Abstract
This paper discusses issues related to VP-Ellipsis and null object constructions in Mandarin Chinese. It consists of two parts. First, pace Li (1998) and Xu (2003), but in line with Huang (1988a, b, 1991), the paper argues that it is not true that no null object construction (NOC) sentences can be analyzed as VP-ellipsis in Mandarin Chinese, and it will show that the reason for the fact that the interpretation patterns of the relevant sentences deviate from those of their English counterparts is not because there is no VP-ellipsis in Chinese but because Chinese pronouns and reflexives exhibit some special properties different from those in English. The claim in this paper is that the so-called NOC sentences are ambiguous in structure and can be analyzed as either VP-ellipsis or NOC. Second, pace Kehler (1993), the paper claims that it is not the parallel vs. non-parallel distinction but the semantic and discourse constraints of coordinate constructions with too and ye ‘also’ in VP-ellipsis that help explain why some VP-ellipsis sentences are ungrammatical in English and Mandarin Chinese, respectively. Hence, the coordination construction in neither English nor Chinese is constrained by the so-called syntactic condition which is based on the parallel vs. non-parallel distinction, as proposed in Kehler (1993), and discourse factors play a crucial role in the interpretation of coordination construction in the two languages concerned.
Abstract
This paper discusses issues related to VP-Ellipsis and null object constructions in Mandarin Chinese. It consists of two parts. First, pace Li (1998) and Xu (2003), but in line with Huang (1988a, b, 1991), the paper argues that it is not true that no null object construction (NOC) sentences can be analyzed as VP-ellipsis in Mandarin Chinese, and it will show that the reason for the fact that the interpretation patterns of the relevant sentences deviate from those of their English counterparts is not because there is no VP-ellipsis in Chinese but because Chinese pronouns and reflexives exhibit some special properties different from those in English. The claim in this paper is that the so-called NOC sentences are ambiguous in structure and can be analyzed as either VP-ellipsis or NOC. Second, pace Kehler (1993), the paper claims that it is not the parallel vs. non-parallel distinction but the semantic and discourse constraints of coordinate constructions with too and ye ‘also’ in VP-ellipsis that help explain why some VP-ellipsis sentences are ungrammatical in English and Mandarin Chinese, respectively. Hence, the coordination construction in neither English nor Chinese is constrained by the so-called syntactic condition which is based on the parallel vs. non-parallel distinction, as proposed in Kehler (1993), and discourse factors play a crucial role in the interpretation of coordination construction in the two languages concerned.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
- Chapter 2. Unifying UG and language variation 9
- Chapter 3. Elements of syntax 25
- Chapter 4. Computational and semantic aspects of resumption 49
- Chapter 5. Causality, comitativity, contrastivity, and selfhood 101
- Chapter 6. System repairing strategy at interface 133
- Chapter 7. The V-copy construction in Mandarin 167
- Chapter 8. The syntax of either and disjunction 207
- Chapter 9. Focus, negation and event quantification in Chinese 245
- Chapter 10. Null object constructions, VP-ellipsis, and sentence interpretation 283
- Chapter 11. The acquisition of nominal structure, word order and referentiality in Chinese 301
- Chapter 12. Syntax/semantics interface and interpretation of Chinese NP 1 NP 2 V construction by Japanese speakers 341
- Index of languages 363
- Index of subjects 365
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
- Chapter 2. Unifying UG and language variation 9
- Chapter 3. Elements of syntax 25
- Chapter 4. Computational and semantic aspects of resumption 49
- Chapter 5. Causality, comitativity, contrastivity, and selfhood 101
- Chapter 6. System repairing strategy at interface 133
- Chapter 7. The V-copy construction in Mandarin 167
- Chapter 8. The syntax of either and disjunction 207
- Chapter 9. Focus, negation and event quantification in Chinese 245
- Chapter 10. Null object constructions, VP-ellipsis, and sentence interpretation 283
- Chapter 11. The acquisition of nominal structure, word order and referentiality in Chinese 301
- Chapter 12. Syntax/semantics interface and interpretation of Chinese NP 1 NP 2 V construction by Japanese speakers 341
- Index of languages 363
- Index of subjects 365
