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Labeling nominal phrases in Mandarin Chinese

 | The Chinese University of Hong Kong
ORCiD logo with link | The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Published online: 5 June 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lv.24033.li
Abstract
In this paper, we examine the distribution and syntactic properties of two types of nominal modifiers in Mandarin Chinese: de-less modifiers and deP-modifiers. This paper proposes a model for labeling nominal phrases, including relative clauses treated as deP-modifiers. These nominal modifiers exhibit distinct syntactic properties. Under a framework based on labeling, deP-modifiers are analyzed as being merged into a labeled structure, whereas de-less modifiers give rise to an unlabeled structure. Adhering to Labeling Algorithm, our model systematically derives several basic nominal structures in Chinese. In terms of labeling a phrase-phrase merge, feature-sharing may occur between two matched unvalued features. Moreover, we also address ungrammatical sequences in Chinese nominals, ascribing them to either labeling failures or Antilocality. Considering the implications of Antilocality in the derivation, this model suggests a universal syntactic D-layer in Chinese nominals.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Nominals and their modifiers in Chinese
  • 3.A model for labeling Chinese nominals
    • 3.1Labeling Algorithm: More on feature-sharing
    • 3.2Formal features in the Chinese nominal domain
    • 3.3Labeling and derivation
      • 3.3.1Labeling [[Numeral + Classifier] + Noun]
      • 3.3.2Labeling [ModifierdeP + Noun]
      • 3.3.3Labeling [[Numeral + Classifier] + [ModifierdeP + Noun]]
      • 3.3.4Unlabelable structure: *[Numeral + ModifierdeP + Classifier + Noun]
        • Option (I): [[Numeral + [ModifierdeP + Classifier]] + Noun]
        • Option (II): [Numeral + [[ModifierdeP + Classifier] + Noun]]
      • 3.3.5Distribution of the relative clause in Chinese
    • 3.4A universal syntactic D-layer
    • 3.5Interim summary
  • 4.Remaining issues in labeling
    • 4.1Two types of modifiers: By pair-merge or by set-merge
    • 4.2Transfer or deletion of unvalued [sort] and [num]
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Abbreviations and glossing conventions used in this paper include
  • Notes
  • References
References (84)
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