The interpretation of disjunction in VP ellipsis: The case of Mandarin Chinese

2021 ◽  
pp. 014272372110209
Author(s):  
Na Gao ◽  
Peng Zhou ◽  
Rosalind Thornton ◽  
Stephen Crain
Keyword(s):  
Mandarin Chinese ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
The Other ◽  
Positive Polarity ◽  
Recent Proposal ◽  
Polarity Items ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Vp Ellipsis ◽  
Default Setting

It has long been noted that verb phrase (VP) ellipsis cancels the polarity sensitivity of the English Positive Polarity Items (PPIs). In recent work, it has been proposed that words for disjunction are governed by a parameter. On one value of the parameter, disjunction is a PPI for adult speakers of many languages including Mandarin Chinese. On the other value, disjunction is interpreted in situ. It has also been proposed that child language learners, across languages, initially interpret disjunction in situ, not as a PPI. Taken together, these proposals predict that child and adult speakers of Mandarin will assign the same interpretation to disjunction in sentences with VP ellipsis, but will assign a different interpretation in sentences without VP ellipsis. This study assessed these predictions. In sentences with a full VP, the adult participants analyzed disjunction as a PPI, but they interpreted disjunction in situ in sentences with VP ellipsis. The child participants interpreted disjunction in situ in sentences of both kinds. Together, the findings support the recent proposal that disjunction is governed by a lexical parameter, with a default setting.

scholarly journals Positive polarity predicates

Linguistics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Hoeksema
Keyword(s):  
Binary Classification ◽  
Complex Interaction ◽  
Positive Polarity ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Recent Proposal ◽  
Polarity Items ◽  
Semantics And Pragmatics ◽  
Negative Quantifiers ◽  
High Degree

Abstract This paper presents Dutch and English predicates that behave as positive polarity items and provides a partial, semantically-grounded classification of this group of PPIs. The items are studied from the perspective of anti-licensing behavior (by negation, either locally or long-distance, in questions, and by weakly negative quantifiers such as little and few). Predicates, unlike quantifiers, do not have wide scope readings (which allow quantificational PPIs such as somebody to appear in the syntactic scope of negation). Using a mixture of corpus data and introspective judgments, we show that anti-licensing among PPIs is not uniform (mirroring earlier results on NPIs which likewise show considerable variation). Rescuing contexts are likewise shown to differ among PPIs. Some of the PPI predicates show complex interaction with illocutionary force (especially mandative force), and others with differences between presupposed and asserted propositions. High degree predicates, finally, point toward the existence of connections between the marking of degree and positive polarity. PPI status is argued to be the result of a complex interaction between the effects of negation and other nonveridical operators, and other semantic factors, which differ among subclasses of PPIs. Anti-licensing by weak negation correlates fairly well with anti-licensing by long-distance negation, a finding which is (partly) in line with a recent proposal by Spector (2014, Global positive polarity items and obligatory exhaustivity. Semantics and Pragmatics 7(11). 1–61) concerning global PPIs. However, we find there to be more variation among the PPIs studied here than the classification of Spector (2014) or any binary classification stipulates.

scholarly journals On the Acquisition of Polarity Items: 11- to 12-Year-Olds' Comprehension of German NPIs and PPIs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliane Schwab ◽  
Mingya Liu ◽  
Jutta L. Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Negative Polarity ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
The Other ◽  
Rating Task ◽  
Positive Polarity ◽  
Polarity Items ◽  
Corpus Data ◽  
Polarity Sensitive

AbstractExisting work on the acquisition of polarity-sensitive expressions (PSIs) suggests that children show an early sensitivity to the restricted distribution of negative polarity items (NPIs), but may be delayed in the acquisition of positive polarity items (PPIs). However, past studies primarily targeted PSIs that are highly frequent in children’s language input. In this paper, we report an experimental investigation on children’s comprehension of two NPIs and two PPIs in German. Based on corpus data indicating that the four tested PSIs are present in child-directed speech but rare in young children’s utterances, we conducted an auditory rating task with adults and 11- to 12-year-old children. The results demonstrate that, even at 11–12 years of age, children do not yet show a completely target-like comprehension of the investigated PSIs. While they are adult-like in their responses to one of the tested NPIs, their responses did not demonstrate a categorical distinction between licensed and unlicensed PSI uses for the other tested expressions. The effect was led by a higher acceptance of sentences containing unlicensed PSIs, indicating a lack of awareness for their distributional restrictions. The results of our study pose new questions for the developmental time scale of the acquisition of polarity items.

A very rapid in situ Kikuchi technique to determine relative crystal misorientation

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 830-831
Author(s):  
J. I. Bennetch
Keyword(s):  
Electron Beam ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Superplastic Forming ◽  
The Other ◽  
Kikuchi Pattern ◽  
Kikuchi Line ◽  
Line Analysis

In a recent study of the superplastic forming (SPF) behavior of certain Al-Li-X alloys, the relative misorientation between adjacent (sub)grains proved to be an important parameter. It is well established that the most accurate way to determine misorientation across boundaries is by Kikuchi line analysis. However, the SPF study required the characterization of a large number of (sub)grains in each sample to be statistically meaningful, a very time-consuming task even for comparatively rapid Kikuchi analytical techniques.In order to circumvent this problem, an alternate, even more rapid in-situ Kikuchi technique was devised, eliminating the need for the developing of negatives and any subsequent measurements on photographic plates. All that is required is a double tilt low backlash goniometer capable of tilting ± 45° in one axis and ± 30° in the other axis. The procedure is as follows. While viewing the microscope screen, one merely tilts the specimen until a standard recognizable reference Kikuchi pattern is centered, making sure, at the same time, that the focused electron beam remains on the (sub)grain in question.

Working With Interpreters to Support Students Who Are English Language Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (16) ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriette W. Langdon ◽  
Terry Irvine Saenz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Primary Language ◽  
Second Best ◽  
Support Students

The number of English Language Learners (ELL) is increasing in all regions of the United States. Although the majority (71%) speak Spanish as their first language, the other 29% may speak one of as many as 100 or more different languages. In spite of an increasing number of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who can provide bilingual services, the likelihood of a match between a given student's primary language and an SLP's is rather minimal. The second best option is to work with a trained language interpreter in the student's language. However, very frequently, this interpreter may be bilingual but not trained to do the job.

Extensive Enteric Leiomyolysis Due to Cytomegalovirus Enterocolitis in Vertically Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Infants

2000 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 591-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virpi V. Smith ◽  
Amanda J. Williams ◽  
Vas Novelli ◽  
Marian Malone
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Vascular Endothelium ◽  
Muscularis Propria ◽  
The Other ◽  
Muscularis Mucosae ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Viral Inclusions

We report two infants with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and rectal bleeding due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) ileitis and colitis with minimal focal mucosal ulceration but with extensive leiomyolysis of the muscularis propria. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization for CMV showed numerous viral inclusions in the myocytes of the muscularis propria and vascular endothelium/smooth muscle with only occasional inclusions present in the muscularis mucosae. Colectomy was curative in one patient; in the other the bowel was only examined at postmortem.

Did Ground Cover Change Over Geologic Time?

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 171-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben A. LePage ◽  
Hermann W. Pfefferkorn
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
The Other ◽  
Detailed Account ◽  
Geologic Time ◽  
The Past ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Plant Fossil

When one hears the term “ground cover,” one immediately thinks of “grasses.” This perception is so deep-seated that paleobotanists even have been overheard to proclaim that “there was no ground cover before grasses.” Today grasses are so predominant in many environments that this perception is perpetuated easily. On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine the absence or lack of ground cover prior to the mid-Tertiary. We tested the hypothesis that different forms of ground cover existed in the past against examples from the Recent and the fossil record (Table 1). The Recent data were obtained from a large number of sources including those in the ecological, horticultural, and microbiological literature. Other data were derived from our knowledge of Precambrian life, sedimentology and paleosols, and the plant fossil record, especially in situ floras and fossil “monocultures.” Some of the data are original observations, but many others are from the literature. A detailed account of these results will be presented elsewhere (Pfefferkorn and LePage, in preparation).

Reproductive performance of group-synchronized Merino d'Arles and Romanov crossbred ewes. 1. A note on the effects of lactation on fecundity

1977 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Galindez ◽  
M. Prud'hon ◽  
G. Reboul
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Fertility Level ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Significant Superiority

SUMMARYFifty-six Merino d'Aries and 56 Romanov × Merino crossbred lactating ewes were divided into two treatment groups, one (T1) with a ewe-to-ram ratio of 48: 1 (24 Merino and 24 crossbred) and the other (T2) of 64: 1 (32 Merino and 32 crossbred).Intravaginal sponges with 40 mg FGA (Searle) were inserted in two subgroups at 8-day intervals and withdrawn after 12 and 16 days in situ, in four equal groups at 4-day intervals. A dose of 400 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) was applied at sponge withdrawal.Fertility after two oestrous cycles was equally satisfactory in both treatments, though it was lower in treatment group T2. This could be due to the significantly low (P<0·01) number of Merino ewes raddled by the T2 ram (0·33 Merino against 0·92 crossbred) suggesting preferential behaviour by the ram in this treatment.Comparisons between breeds show a slight superiority in the fertility of crossbred ewes and a highly significant superiority in prolificacy These results suggest that using the described method, 2% of rams seems more than adequate to mate with progestagen-synchronized ewes with a satisfactory fertility level. It is, however, recommended to use homogeneous groups of ewes.

PHASE TRANSITION IN LAYERED PEROVSKITE LIKE MANGANATE Ca3Mn2O7 UNDER HIGH PRESSURE

2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (18) ◽  
pp. 2491-2497 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. ZHU ◽  
L. C. CHEN ◽  
R. C. YU ◽  
F. Y. LI ◽  
J. LIU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
High Pressure ◽  
Diamond Anvil Cell ◽  
The Other ◽  
Layered Perovskite ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Diamond Anvil

In situ high pressure energy dispersive X-ray diffraction measurements on layered perovskite-like manganate Ca 3 Mn 2 O 7 under pressures up to 35 GPa have been performed by using diamond anvil cell with synchrotron radiation. The results show that the structure of layered perovskite-like manganate Ca 3 Mn 2 O 7 is unstable under pressure due to the easy compression of NaCl-type blocks. The structure of Ca 3 Mn 2 O 7 underwent two phase transitions under pressures in the range of 0~35 GPa. One was at about 1.3 GPa with the crystal structure changing from tetragonal to orthorhombic. The other was at about 9.5 GPa with the crystal structure changing from orthorhombic back to another tetragonal.

Approaches to Cyclopropa-Fused Quinones. The Synthesis and Photolysis of Some 4,9-Disubstituted 3,3-Dimethyl-3H-benz[f]indazoles

2003 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin E. Collis ◽  
Dieter Wege
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Alkoxy Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Acetoxy Group

Addition of 2-diazopropane to 1,4-naphthoquinone at low temperature, followed by in situ enolization and acetylation or silylation gave 3,3-dimethyl-1H-benz[f]indazol-4,9-diyl diacetate and 3,3-dimethyl-9-(t-butyl-dimethylsilyloxy)-1H-benz[f]indazol-4-ol, respectively. Functional group manipulation of the latter compound provided a number of other 4,9-disubstituted 3,3-dimethyl-3H-benz[f]indazoles. Irradiation of the diacetate led to clean extrusion of nitrogen to give the naphtho[b]cycloproparene and an alkene. Attempts to elaborate the cycloproparene into the derived cyclopropanaphthoquinone were unsuccessful. Of the other 4,9-disubstituted 3,3-dimethyl-3H-benz[f]indazoles examined, only the compound possessing an acetoxy group at C9 was photoactive, and afforded the expected cycloproparene and alkene. Compounds bearing a hydroxy or alkoxy group at C9 were photochemically inert.

How Antisymmetric Is Syntax?

2003 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 516-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Takano
Keyword(s):  
Linear Order ◽  
Phrase Structure ◽  
Negative Polarity ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
Negative Polarity Items ◽  
Polarity Items ◽  
The Right

Since the emergence of Kayne's (1994) stimulating proposal for an antisymmetric theory of phrase structure and linear order, much work has been devoted to arguing for or against his theory as well as discussing its empirical predictions. As a result, for a number of phenomena involving rightward positioning, such as rightward adjuncts, heavy NP shift, extraposition, postverbal subjects, and postverbal constituents in OV languages, there now exist both an approach consistent with Kayne's theory (the antisymmetric approach) and another not consistent with it (the symmetric approach). In such a situation, it is often difficult to show on empirical grounds that one approach is superior to the other (see Rochemont and Culicover 1997). In what follows, I describe this situation with respect to two well-known phenomena in English: rightward positioning of adjuncts and heavy NP shift. For each of these phenomena, the symmetric and antisymmetric approaches have been proposed, and both approaches can correctly account for the data discussed in previous studies. Here, I examine the approaches from a novel point of view, showing that data involving the licensing of negative polarity items allow us to differentiate them and to decide which is the right one for each of the two empirical domains. Interestingly, the relevant facts lead to different conclusions for the two phenomena. The results have important implications for the antisymmetric view of syntax.

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