On The Syntax And Semantics Of Chinese Middle Constructions

This thesis studies the derivation，constraints as well as the syntactic and semanticproperties of Chinese middle constructions within the framework of the Minimalist Program.Chinese middle constructions are grouped into typical and atypical ones. Atypical Chinesemiddle constructions include adjunct middles and the middles with overt modals. Typical andadjunct Chinese middle constructions are derived in the syntactic level through two steps ofmovement: the first one refers to the moving of the middle verb ‘V+qilai’ to adjoin to the lightverb v while the second one refers to the raising of the NP to the position of Spec-T. Thederivation of atypical Chinese middle constructions with overt modals involves two lightverbs and three steps of movement: the adjunction of the middle verb to v1,the incorporationof the modal to v2and the raising of the internal argument to the Spec-T position. Thederivation of Chinese middle constructions follows the affectedness constraint, the aspectualconstraint of middle verbs and the constraint of adjunct. To put it specifically, the subject inChinese middle constructions should be affected by the semantic features of the middle verb;stative and resultative compound verbs are restricted in Chinese middle constrictions; besides,the selection of middle adjuncts follows certain constraints, only those semanticallypatient-oriented and non-volitional agent-oriented adjuncts form acceptable Chinese middleconstructions. Syntactically, Chinese middle constructions have the properties of subjectraising and adjunct modification. The subject of Chinese middle constructions is not the agent,but the patient, instrument or location which raises to the Spec-T position and serves as thesurface subject. Meanwhile, Chinese middle constructions need an adjunct to modify themiddle verb; otherwise, an overt modal should be used to achieve the grammaticality of theconstructions. Semantically, Chinese middle constructions are characterized by the propertiesof modality and genericity. Instead of referring to any specific time and events, they tend todescribe the properties of the subjects.Based on the previous studies on English middle constructions, this research comparesChinese and English middle constructions, attempting to give a unified explanation for middleconstructions in Chinese and English under the framework of the Minimalist Program. Thecomparative study shows that typical and adjunct Chinese and English middle constructionsundergo similar derivation processes, which involve two major steps of movement, i.e. theadjunction of the middle verb to the light verb and the raising of the internal argument to theSpec-T position. Moreover, middle constructions in both Chinese and English have more orless the same characteristics. But owing to the specialty of Chinese, Chinese middle constructions are more productive; the middle adjunct in Chinese differs from that in English;besides, Chinese middle constructions do not allow resultative compound verbs. Bycomparing Chinese and English middle constructions, we find that the derivation andproperties of Chinese middle constructions bear the universality of middle constructions.Variations do exist between Chinese and English middle constructions, but the core propertiesare common. We hope this research could make some contribution to the intrinsicunderstanding of middle constructions.