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Article published In: International Journal of Chinese Linguistics
Vol. 5:2 (2018) ► pp.226–251

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PF deletion within Chinese DPs

 | National Taiwan University
Published online: 13 December 2018
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ijchl.17007.chi
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to study the empty categories which may exist inside the Chinese DP domain. The primary discussion concerns an empty category which results from the deletion of NP. This paper introduces a novel observation that equation sentences with a “Modifier- Empty-NP” object can only result from ellipsis, and cannot be a base-generated pro-Form in Mandarin Chinese. I further show that the rich array of functional elements and modifications in the internal structure of the Chinese DP can aid linguists in ascertaining the domain over which deletion happens.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Setting the stage
    • 2.1R-Expression properties of empty objects
    • 2.2Deletion or pronominals?
    • 2.3Complexity of the Chinese DP
  • 3.The deleted constituent
    • 3.1Chinese DNC order & licensing condition
    • 3.2Nominal ellipsis
      • 3.2.1Double object & dative alternation
      • 3.2.2Post-verbal frequency phrases
    • 3.3Antecedent
    • 3.4Three kinds of -de in nominals and the deletion domain
      • 3.4.1One de- modification
      • 3.4.2Stacking: Two de- modification
      • 3.4.3To solve the problem
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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