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Article published In: Language and Linguistics
Vol. 23:4 (2022) ► pp.710–742

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Formation and constraints of scalar structure in Taiwanese Southern Min

 | National Tsing Hua University
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Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Published online: 12 October 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1075/lali.00120.lie
Abstract
The paper explores the formation and constraint of an aspect of scalar structure in Taiwanese Southern Min (TSM). The scale structure as we understand it is realized as a relation between the degree adverb and the gradable predicates it selects. The gradable predicate that the degree adverb selects must bear the feature of degree. There are two approaches to compose the degree adverb and the gradable predicates it modifies: (1) the top-down construal and (2) the bottom-up construal. The first approach is simple and straightforward and applicable in most cases. However, there will be difficulties when the immediate modified element is an ambivalent element. A way out of the dilemma is the second approach. We give a unitary account of u7-headed VP constructions in terms of the bottom-up approach, and if viable, it attains a measure of economy. This study also touches on the parametric variations in TSM vis-à-vis Mandarin in the patterns of degree expressions. Such variations in the degree expressions have some implications in the studies of Sinitic languages as well as language universals.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Theoretical assumptions
  • 3.The selectional restriction of degree adverbs
    • 3.1Degree adverbs
    • 3.2Types of constituents bearing the gradable feature
      • 3.2.1Modal verbs
      • 3.2.2Adverbs
      • 3.2.3Verbs
  • 4.The function and construal of gradable predicates
    • 4.1The function of gradable predicates
    • 4.2The top-down construal or the bottom-up construal
  • 5.The composition of complex gradable predicates
    • 5.1The internal structure of complex gradable predicates
    • 5.2The step-wise building of the complex gradable predicates
  • 6.Remaining issues relating to gradable predicates
    • 6.1A unitary account of gradable 有 v-headed VPs
    • 6.2The non-gradable assertive marker 有 u7
    • 6.3The formation of individual-level predicates
  • 7.The motivation for studying the scale structure in TSM
  • 8.Conclusions
  • Sources
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
References (47)
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