John Benjamins Publishing Company
Chapter 12. Syntax/semantics interface and interpretation of Chinese NP 1 NP 2 V construction by Japanese speakers
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Abstract
Sorace’s (2005, 2006) Interface Hypothesis proposed that properties of syntax are relatively easier to acquire than ones involving interfaces. The article provides supporting evidence with a study investigating second language (L2) acquisition of the interpretation of Chinese NP1NP2V construction by Japanese speakers. The canonical OSV interpretation for Chinese NP1NP2V is considered a syntactic property. The acceptability of SOV interpretation for Chinese NP1NP2V depends on the combined effects of the semantic compatibility factor and the prominence factor, which involve the syntax-semantics interface. The results show that Japanese speakers can acquire the canonical OSV interpretation; but they have difficulties in accessing prominence to distinguish the acceptable SOV interpretation from the unacceptable one.
Abstract
Sorace’s (2005, 2006) Interface Hypothesis proposed that properties of syntax are relatively easier to acquire than ones involving interfaces. The article provides supporting evidence with a study investigating second language (L2) acquisition of the interpretation of Chinese NP1NP2V construction by Japanese speakers. The canonical OSV interpretation for Chinese NP1NP2V is considered a syntactic property. The acceptability of SOV interpretation for Chinese NP1NP2V depends on the combined effects of the semantic compatibility factor and the prominence factor, which involve the syntax-semantics interface. The results show that Japanese speakers can acquire the canonical OSV interpretation; but they have difficulties in accessing prominence to distinguish the acceptable SOV interpretation from the unacceptable one.
Chapters in this book
- 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
Chapters in this book
- 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
