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Encoding indefinite human reference without indefinite pronouns: the case of Chinese presentationals

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Published/Copyright: May 15, 2024
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Abstract

The Chinese sequence yǒu rén [exist person] is both the minimal existential-presentational construction and the functional equivalent of indefinite pronouns in encoding indefinite human reference. This dual characteristic prompts the question of whether yǒu rén functions as a presentational construction comparable to similar forms in other languages. Building on a literary corpus of Chinese contemporary novels, this study aims to determine if yǒu rén displays the behavioral properties of presentational constructions. First, presentational yǒu rén constructions are distinguished from both locative-existential and generic-existential ones based on a set of features including predicate selection in the coda, presence and function of the locative expression, and the co-dependent interpretation of the nominal rén. Next, the discourse function of yǒu rén is examined by assessing its contrast with regular nonpresentational sentences and the anaphoric potential of the entity it introduces. While establishing the boundaries between the three construction types, the study also analyzes the co-expression pattern observed within a gradient and compositional approach.


Corresponding author: Ludovica Lena, Xiamen University, 422 South Siming Road, 361005 Xiamen, China; and Centre de recherches linguistiques sur l’Asie orientale (CRLAO), Paris, France, E-mail:

Acknowledgment

This research was supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. I wish to thank two anonymous reviewers and the editors of Folia Linguistica for their insightful corrections and suggestions that helped to improve the overall quality of this article.

Glosses

ACC

pretransitive marker

CL

classifier

COMP

complementizer

COL

collective marker

CRS

Current Relevant State aspect marker

DUR

durative aspect marker

EPP

Existential/Possessive Predicator

EXCL

exclamative particle

HORT

hortative particle

NEG

negation

NOM

nominalizing suffix

PASS

passive marker

PAU

particle indicating a pause

PFV

perfective aspect marker

PL

plural

PRS

present

PROG

progressive aspect marker

PROH

prohibitive adverb

REL

relative pronoun

S

subject

SFP

sentence final particle

SG

singular

SUB

subordinative particle

Abbreviations used in the text

BN

bare noun

I-level

Individual-level

LOC

locative

NP

noun phrase

S-level

Stage-level

SV

Subject-Verb

PP

prepositional phrase

VP

verbal phrase

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Received: 2023-09-25
Accepted: 2024-03-21
Published Online: 2024-05-15
Published in Print: 2024-11-26

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