Plurality and definiteness in Chengdu Chinese

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 652-684
Author(s):  
Jiajuan Xiong ◽  
Chu-Ren Huang
Keyword(s):  
Syntactic Analysis ◽  
Upward Movement ◽  
Nominal Phrase ◽  
Mass Nouns ◽  
Classifier Languages ◽  
Definiteness Effect

Abstract The authors identify a plural marker -ɕiɛ in Chengdu Chinese that can apply to both count and mass nouns, encoding plurality as well as definiteness. This post-nominal -ɕiɛ differs from the pre-nominal ɕiɛ, as the latter is purely plural but not inherently definite. Our analysis shows that the pre-nominal ɕiɛ functions as a quantifier, which occupies the [Spec, NumP] position, whereas the suffixal -ɕiɛ, by virtue of being a plural marker, is base-generated in the Num0 position and move to D0 to encode both plurality and definiteness. Moreover, the two ɕiɛs can co-occur in one and the same nominal phrase, exhibiting the double definiteness effect. The syntactic analysis of ɕiɛ in Chengdu Chinese, coupled with the study of di in Cantonese, has theoretical impacts on nominal phrase structures, in particular, on “plurality” and “definiteness”. First, plural markers in classifier languages contrast with those in number languages, as the former, but not the latter, defies numerical modification. Second, definiteness can be expressed by a non-D element, which may check its [+def] feature either by undergoing an upward movement to D (or [Spec, DP]) or by agreeing with the [+def] feature of a demonstrative. Third, the DP-NP distinction is strongly supported by our account of Chengdu Chinese.

PARTICULES DE NEGATION DANS LES INSCRIPTIONS SUR BRONZE DE LA DYNASTIE DES ZHOU

1991 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-76
Author(s):  
Redouane Djamouri
Keyword(s):  
Syntactic Analysis ◽  
Epistemic Modal ◽  
Nominal Phrase ◽  
Early Archaic ◽  
Dependent Position ◽  
Archaic Chinese ◽  
Transitive Verbs ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Negative Marker ◽  
Negative Counterpart

This article is devoted to a semantico-syntactic analysis of the use of seven markers of negation in Early Archaic Chinese, especially in the Zhou bronze inscriptions. The negative BU 不 which is used with intransitive verbal predicates or with adjectives, establishes a descriptive relationship between the subject and the predicate in its clause; it only shows a simple descriptive intention and takes an integral part in the presupposition. The negative marker FU 弗 is fully adverbial and is used, essentially, with transitive verbs. The marker FEI 非, establishes an attributive, descriptive relationship between the two terms of the predication inside the clause just as does BU; but it introduces a polemic value in expressing the falsity of a presupposition. The marker WU2 毋, in contrast with WU1 勿, does not come under the category of a deontic modality. The obligation which it shows does not come from the speaker (or from any other source) but is internal to the subject-predicate relationship. The negation in this case is to be taken as a statement of fact and not as an injunction. However, according to the observations here, WU2 毋 refers to the epistemic modal category. That why it can express the double value of both "certainty" and “necessity” according to the context. The negative WANG 勿 (the negative counterpart of YOU 有 "existence" or "possession") is used to express the possession of dependence. In addition, because of its existential value, it allows for presenting certain terms in both a restrictive and an extensive sense. Finally WU3 無 is most often attached to a substantive and forms thus a marginal expansion (in a syntactically dependent position) serving to characterize a nominal phrase, a verbal phrase, or an entire clause.

scholarly journals The grammatical distinction between count nouns and mass nouns in Mandarin Chinese

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-76
Author(s):  
Nastazja Stoch
Keyword(s):  
Mandarin Chinese ◽  
Count Noun ◽  
Ontological Status ◽  
Mass Noun ◽  
Numeral Classifiers ◽  
Mass Nouns ◽  
Count Nouns ◽  
Classifier Languages

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to prove the Mass Noun Hypothesis wrong. The hypothesis claims that all common nouns in classifier languages like Mandarin Chinese are mass nouns. The objection against it consists in displaying its implausible deduction, where false conclusions have been drawn due to relying on the grammar of English, which is incongruent with the grammar of Chinese. Consequently, this paper defends the Count Noun Thesis, stating that in Chinese there are count as well as mass nouns. In support of this statement, first, the typology of numeral classifiers had to be established, which resulted in gathering and completing all the reasons to distinguish classifiers from measure words. After only this necessary differentiation was made, it was possible to show that the count/mass distinction exists in Mandarin Chinese. That is, count nouns by default have only one classifier, with certain disclaimers. Apart from that, count nouns, as in every language, may undergo some measurement with measure words. Mass nouns, however, in the context of quantification may appear only with measure words, but not with classifiers. These conditions naturally follow from the ontological status of the two types of nouns’ referents, i.e. bounded objects denoted by count nouns, and scattered substances denoted by mass nouns.

On the semantic properties of mass and count nouns in Guajajára (Tenetehára)

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-381
Author(s):  
Pilar Chamorro ◽  
Fábio Bonfim Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Number Marking ◽  
Mass Nouns ◽  
Count Nouns ◽  
Units Of Measurement ◽  
Classifier Languages ◽  
Semantic Properties

Abstract In this paper we show that Guajajára has grammaticalized the distinction between mass and count nouns, but that the coding of this distinction is different from the systems of coding in classifier languages, number-marking languages, and number-neutral languages (Chierchia 1998a, 1998b, 2010; Wilhelm 2008). As a result, we conclude that Guajajára presents a challenge to the tripartite classification of languages proposed in Chierchia’s work, since Guajajára number marking is non-inflectional and optional when plural is already expressed by other quantificational expressions. Furthermore, in Guajajára notional mass nouns can pluralize and directly combine with numerals without the mediation of container or measure constructions in contexts where conventional and non-conventional container and units of measurement are implied. This last observation suggests that coercion is not a mechanism that operates in this language.

scholarly journals Classifiers as Count Syntax: Individuation and Measurement in the Acquisition of Mandarin

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy Li ◽  
David Barner ◽  
Becky H. Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mandarin Chinese ◽  
Empirical Test ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Syntactic Knowledge ◽  
Mass Nouns ◽  
Count Nouns ◽  
Classifier Languages ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
English Speaking

The distinction between mass nouns (e.g., butter) and count nouns (e.g.,table) offers a test case for asking how the syntax and semantics ofnatural language are related, and how children exploit syntax-semanticsmappings when acquiring language. Virtually no studies have examined thisdistinction in classifier languages (e.g., Mandarin Chinese) due to thewidespread assumption that such languages lack mass-count syntax. However,Cheng and Sybesma (1998) argue that Mandarin encodes the mass-count at theclassifier level: classifiers can be categorized as “mass-classifiers” or“count-classifiers.” Mass and count classifiers differ in semanticinterpretation and occur in different syntactic constructions. The currentstudy is first an empirical test of Cheng and Sybesma’s hypothesis, andsecond, a test of the acquisition of putative mass and count classifiers bychildren learning Mandarin. Experiments 1 and 2 asked whethercount-classifiers select individuals and whether mass classifiers selectportions of stuff or groups of individual things. Adult Mandarin-speakersindeed showed this pattern of interpretation, while 4- to 6-year-olds hadnot fully mastered the distinction. Experiment 3 tested participants’syntactic sensitivity by asking them to match two syntactic constructions(one that supported the mass or portion reading and one that did not) totwo contrasting choices (a portion of an object and a whole object). Adevelopmental trend in syntactic knowledge was observed: adults were nearperfect and the older children were more likely than the younger childrento correctly match the contrasting phrases to their correspondingreferents. Thus, in three experiments we find support for Cheng andSybesma’s analysis, but also that children master the syntax and semanticsof Mandarin classifiers much later than English-speaking children acquireknowledge of the English mass-count distinction.

scholarly journals Analisis Gurindam Dua Belas Karya Raja Ali Haji Ditinjau dari Aspek Sintaksis

GERAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zulfadhli ◽  
Laely Farokhah ◽  
Zaenal Abidin
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Syntactic Analysis ◽  
Sentence Structure ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Reduction Stage ◽  
Syntactic Form ◽  
Nominal Phrase ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Data Collection Technique ◽  
Main Instrument

Gurindam Dua Belas is an old poem derived from an old manuscript by Raja Ali Haji, which is important to study based on the syntactic aspect. This current study examines the origins of phrases, clauses, and sentences in Gurindam Dua Belas written by Raja Ali Haji. This study analyses Gurindam Dua Belas written by Raja Ali Haji, in terms of syntactic aspects. The qualitative approach was used in this research with a descriptive analysis method. The data source is a written source, namely the text of Gurindam Dua Belas by Raja Ali Haji, which consists of 12 articles. The data collection technique used a documentation study. The research instrument was the researcher himself as the main instrument assisted by recording card of data. Data analysis was carried out through the reduction stage, the data presentation stage, and then drawing conclusions and verification stages. Based on a review of 3 aspects of syntactic studies, namely function, category, and role, the results show that in the functional aspect, the predicate function of Gurindam Dua Belas text is predominantly used in the structure of syntactic analysis compared to other functions. In the category aspect, the dominant array of Gurindam Dua Belas used is the nominal phrase category. The largest use of the syntactic role used in Gurindam Dua Belas by Raja Ali Haji is the role as a verb or action. Based on an analysis of the syntactic form, it is identified that each article has a different sentence structure. The dominant sentences in the 83 stanzas of Gurindam Dua Belas by Raja Ali Haji are compound.

PRINCIPAL PROBLEMS OF NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING SYSTEMS

2018 ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
O. Hyryn
Keyword(s):  
Natural Language Processing ◽  
Natural Language ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Syntactic Analysis ◽  
Syntactic Ambiguity ◽  
Grammatical Structure ◽  
English Sentence ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
The Way

The article deals with natural language processing, namely that of an English sentence. The article describes the problems, which might arise during the process and which are connected with graphic, semantic, and syntactic ambiguity. The article provides the description of how the problems had been solved before the automatic syntactic analysis was applied and the way, such analysis methods could be helpful in developing new analysis algorithms. The analysis focuses on the issues, blocking the basis for the natural language processing — parsing — the process of sentence analysis according to their structure, content and meaning, which aims to analyze the grammatical structure of the sentence, the division of sentences into constituent components and defining links between them.

scholarly journals Linguistic structures and functions of thesis and dissertation titles in Dentistry

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Alberto Morales ◽  
Bexi Perdomo ◽  
Daniel Cassany ◽  
Rosa María Tovar ◽  
Élix Izarra
Keyword(s):  
Single Unit ◽  
English Language ◽  
Genre Studies ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Syntactic Structures ◽  
Nominal Phrase ◽  
Research Students ◽  
Linguistic Structures ◽  
Grammatical Structures

AbstractTitles play an important role in genre analysis. Cross-genre studies show that research paper and thesis titles have distinctive features. However, thesis and dissertation titles in the field of dentistry have thus far received little attention. Objective: To analyze the syntactic structures and their functions in English-language thesis and dissertation titles in dentistry. Methodology: We randomly chose 413 titles of English-language dentistry theses or dissertations presented at universities in 12 countries between January 2000 and June 2019. The resulting corpus of 5,540 running words was then analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, the two complementary focuses being grammatical structures and their functions. Results: The average title length was 13.4 words. Over half of the titles did not include any punctuation marks. For compound titles, we found that colons, dashes, commas, and question marks were used to separate the different components, colons being the most frequent. Four syntactic structures (nominal phrase, gerund phrase, full-sentence, and prepositional phrase) were identified for single-unit titles. Single-unit nominal phrase titles constituted the most frequent structure in the corpus, followed by compound titles. Four particular rhetorical combinations of compound title components were found to be present throughout the corpus. Conclusions: Titles of dentistry theses and dissertation in English echo the content of the text body and make an important contribution to fulfilling the text’s communicative purposes. Thus, teaching research students about the linguistic features of thesis titles would be beneficial to help them write effective titles and also facilitate assessment by teachers.

Taking time with the tough-construction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
JOHN GLUCKMAN
Keyword(s):  
Movement Analysis ◽  
Main Clause ◽  
Syntactic Analysis ◽  
English Syntax ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
The Way

I provide a syntactic analysis of the take-time construction (It took an hour to complete the test). The investigation provides insight into well-known issues concerning the related tough-construction. Using a battery of standard syntactic diagnostics, I conclude that the take-time construction and the tough-construction require a predication analysis of the antecedent-gap chain, not a movement analysis. I also conclude that the nonfinite clause is in a modificational relationship with the main clause predicate, not a selectional relationship. Broadly, this study expands the class of tough-constructions, illustrating crucial variation among predicates, and pointing the way to a unified analysis. The investigation also reveals undiscussed aspects of English syntax, including the fact that English has a high applicative position.

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