Binding and blocking in Nuosu
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Matthias Gerner
Abstract
I argue for a binding theory that posits binding and blocking conditions as underived primitives as opposed to a binding theory that derives blocking conditions from binding conditions via an independent scale of dependency (Safir 2004a, 2004b). The latter work is based on English and other Germanic languages, whereas the proposed binding theory bears on Nuosu (Tibeto-Burman: China), which exhibits a speech logophor and a long-distance reflexive, on Mupun (Afro-Asiatic: Nigeria) and on Chinese.
Glossary
- Expression
Definition (Safir 2004b; Tang 1989; Hagège 1974)
- β depends on α
the referential value of β is a function of the interpretative content of α, the antecedent;
- β covaries with α
β depends on α;
- β corefers with α
β picks out an entity in the physical world or in the discourse, the same also picked out by α;
- β subcommanded by α
- β is c-commanded by α, or
- α is an NP contained in an NP that c-commands β or that subcommands β, and any argument containing α is in subject position;
- β bound by α
β depends on α and is c-commanded by α (β depends on α and is subcommanded by α);
- β anaphor
β lacks deictic potential and is subject-oriented;
- β logophor (narrow)
β covaries with source;
- β logophor (wide)
β covaries with source or self;
List of abbreviations
- 1P.PL
First person plural
- 1P.SG
First person singular
- 2P.PL
Second person plural
- 2P.SG
Second person singular
- 3P.PL
Third person plural
- 3P.SG
Third person singular
- 3P.SG POSS
Third person singular possessive
- ART
Article
- CAUS
Causative
- CL
Classifier
- CONJ
Conjunction
- COMP
Complementizer
- COP
Copular
- COV
Coverb
- DOM
Domain
- DEM:DD
Discourse deictic demonstrative
- DP
Determiner phrase
- DYP
Dynamic perfect
- DO
Direct object
- F
Female gender
- IO
Indirect object
- LOC
Locative Particle
- LDR
Long-distance reflexive
- LOG
Logophoric
- M
Male gender
- MOD
Modality
- NEG
Negation
- NEG.IMP
Negative imperative
- NOM
Nominalization
- PRO
Empty category
- PROG
Progressive
- PRON
Pronoun
- PL
Plural
- QUOT
Quotative
- REFL
Reflexive
- S
Subject
- SDR
Short-distance reflexive
- SG
Singular
- SEND
SEND aspectual auxiliary
- SENT.TOP
Sentence topic
- STP
Stative Perfect
- TOP
Topic
- TP
Tense phrase
- VP
Verb phrase
- V
Verb
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Note
Early versions of this paper were presented at the Annual Research Forum of the Linguistic Society of Hong Kong in Hong Kong (China) in 2010 and at the 46th Annual Meeting of the Societas Linguistica Europaea in Split (Croatia) in 2013.
©2016 by De Gruyter Mouton
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- String-vacuity and LF interpretation in A-chains: Cases of ECM and nominative-genitive conversion
- Icelandic post-lexical syllabification and vowel length in CVCV phonology
- Binding and blocking in Nuosu
- Mandarin peripheral construals at the syntax-discourse interface
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- String-vacuity and LF interpretation in A-chains: Cases of ECM and nominative-genitive conversion
- Icelandic post-lexical syllabification and vowel length in CVCV phonology
- Binding and blocking in Nuosu
- Mandarin peripheral construals at the syntax-discourse interface
