On Mandarin BA: A Minimalist Account

• Main Author: 郭嘉和
• Other Authors: Chun-yin Doris Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2000
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/24751858726047480759

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 英語研究所 === 88 === This thesis aims to discuss the disposal property of the BA-construction in Mandarin within the Minimalist framework (Chomsky 1995). It is shown that the disposal reading of the BA-construction is closely related to the results of disposal. It is argued that the BA-construction is associated with disposal and resultative features, and that BA is treated like a control verb subcategorizing for an NP and a clausal CP as its internal arguments. Moreover, BA is considered as a peculiar type of verb which doesn’t theta-mark its object, i.e. the BA-NP. The thematic role of the BA-NP is assigned by the verb of the embedded clause, and the thematic role is transmitted via a thematic chain. As for the null elements, i.e. PRO and pro contained in the embedded clause of the BA-construction, PRO is controlled by the matrix subject and pro refers to the BA-NP, a c-commanding NP with Accusative Case. In addition, [+Dipo] and [+Res] features are claimed to be strong features, so the overt verb movements must trigger to check off these features before SPELL-OUT. It is also claimed that the BA-construction consists of a topic feature. The [+Top] feature attracts the pronominal pro, which refers to the BA-NP, to move up to [SPEC, CP]. Finally, it is argued that complex BA-constructions, i.e. BA-sentences with added expressions, such as the extent clause or adverbial phrase, can also be successfully dealt with in the present study.