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Modals in imperatives

A view from Chinese

ORCiD logo with link | Academia Sinica
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Abstract
Two competing views regarding the syntax-semantics of imperatives can be distinguished. A minimal view assumes that imperatives are properties in semantics, and their syntax is rather bare, while the modal approach maintains that imperatives are propositions that contain a (covert) performative modal in syntax. This paper supports the modal approach from data patterns in two Chinese languages. It is observed that the performative modal particle can be overtly pronounced in imperatives in Chinese. I also examine the Imperative-and-Declarative (IaD) sentences, which have been employed to counter the modal approach. Confirming earlier generalizations, Chinese provides empirical evidence for the claim that there are two distinct types of IaDs. The possibility of an overt performative modal appearing in one but not the other allows for a clear distinction between genuine imperative antecedents and their imperative-like counterparts. Such distinction provides further empirical support for the modal analysis of imperatives.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Modals in imperatives — the controversy
    • 2.1The minimal view
    • 2.2The modal approach: Kaufmann (2012) and Isac (2015)
    • 2.3Challenges from Imperatives-and-Declaratives
  • 3.Imperatives in the Chinese languages
    • 3.1Priority necessity modals
    • 3.2Morphosyntax of performative modals
    • 3.3Syntax of imperative modals
  • 4.More on IaDs
    • 4.1Keshet & Medeiros (2019)
    • 4.2IaDs in Chinese
    • 4.3Bifurcation analysis
    • 4.4Open issues
      • 4.4.1More on CC IaDs
      • 4.4.2A mixed approach?
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgement
  • Notes
  • References
References (79)
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