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In:New Explorations in Chinese Theoretical Syntax: Studies in honor of Yen-Hui Audrey Li
Edited by Andrew Simpson
[Linguistik Aktuell/Linguistics Today 272] 2022
► pp. 331–356

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Noncanonical arguments via the high applicative

 | University of Wisconsin
Published online: 13 April 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1075/la.272.12yaf
Abstract
This article develops a new account of Chinese NCAs. The representative analyses of the phenomenon in the literature were evaluated, accompanied with facts, some new, that help sort out the linguistic and extra-linguistic properties of the NCAs. The proposed account consists of two core elements: bare lexical roots without light verbs (in their popular sense) at either lexical or syntactic level of derivation, and the conditional use of the high applicative. All relevant facts are derived from the collaboration of these two elements once extra-linguistic factors are duly recognized and either incorporated into the analysis or set aside to avoid unnecessary distractions.
Article outline
  • 0.Introduction
  • 1.On the facts and the existing analyses
    • 1.1Lin’s (2001) original theory: Bare roots plus s-syntactic light verbs
    • 1.2My own analysis: Bare roots with no light verbs at all
    • 1.3A. Li’s theory: A thematic hierarchy via light verbs
    • 1.4Zhang’s (2018) ergative verb approach
  • 2.An applicative-based alternative account
    • 2.1High applicatives and their use in a low-applicative language
    • 2.2How does syntax deal with a bare lexical root?
    • 2.3ApplH vs. light verbs
  • 3.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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