Abstract
It has been observed that there is a complementary distribution between simple adjectives (SAs) and complex adjectives (CAs) in Chinese in both the adnominal and predicate positions (Huang, 1997, Some remarks on adjectives in Mandarin Chinese. Paper delivered at the International Association of Chinese Linguistics-6 (IACL-6), Leiden, June 19–21, 1997, The Netherlands; Shen, 1997, Zhongguo Yuwen, 259, 242–250; Zhu, 1956, Xiandai Hanyu Xingrongci Yanjiu [Studies of adjectives in modern Chinese]. Yuyan Yanjiu 1. Also published in Zhu Dexi (1980) Xiandai Hanyu Yufa Yanjiu [Grammatical studies of modern Chinese], pp. 3–41). This article makes two major claims: (a) there are two subgroups of CAs, and while one is in total complementary distribution with SAs; the other is in partial complementary distribution with SAs; And (b) the total/ partial complementary distribution noted in (a) can be explained by a property- theoretic conjunction/intersection analysis of modification structures which ensures not only type matching but also sortal matching between the modifier and modifiee. Evidence from dialectal studies (Zhu, 1993, Fangyan, 2, 81–100) is provided as strong support for this hypothesis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bach E. (1968). Nouns and noun phrases. In: Bach E., Harms R.T. (eds) Universals in linguistic theory. Holt Rinehart and Winston, New York, pp. 90-122
Bierwisch M. (1989). The semantics of gradation. In: Bierwisch M., Lang E. (eds) Dimensional adjectives. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 71-261
Bolinger, D. (1967). Adjectives in English: Attribution and predication. Lingua, 18, 1–34.
Chao, W. Mui, E., & Scott, G.-J. (2001). Adjectival modifications in Chinese. Paper delivered at IACL10-NACCL13 (Joint Session of the International Association of Chinese Linguistics-10 and North America Conference on Chinese Linguistics-13), June 21–23, 2001, UC Irvine.
Chao Y.-R. (1968). A grammar of spoken Chinese. University of California Press, Berkeley
Chierchia, G. (1984). Topics in the syntax and semantics of indefinites and gerunds. PhD dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Chierchia, G. (1985). Formal semantics and the grammar of predication. Linguistic Inquiry, 16, 417–443.
Chierchia, G. (1998a). Plurality of mass nouns and the notion of ‘semantic parameter. In S. Rothstein (Ed.), Events and grammar (pp. 53–104). Dordrecht: Kluwer.
Chierchia, G. (1998b). Reference to kinds across languages. Natural Language Semantics, 6, 339–405.
Fan, J. (1979). De Zi Duanyu Daiti Mingci de Yuyi Guize [The semantic rules governing the substi- tution of NPs by De-phrases]. Zhongguo Yuwen Tongxun [Chinese Philology Newsletter] 3.
Feng, S. (2003). Prosodic structure and bare adjectives in Chinese. Journal of Beijing Normal University.
Heim, I., & Kratzer, A. (1998) Semantics in generative grammar. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell.
Huang, C.-T. J. (1987). Existential Sentences in Chinese and (In)definiteness. In E. Reuland, & A. ter Meulen (Eds.), The representation of (In)definiteness (pp. 226–253). Cambridge, Massa- chusetts: MIT Press.
Huang C.-T.J. (1988). wo pao de kuai and Chinese Phrase Structure. Language 64, 274–311
Huang, S.-Z. (1996). Predication and quantification in Mandarin Chinese: A Case Study of Dou, PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania.
Huang, S.-Z. (1997). Some remarks on adjectives in Mandarin Chinese. Paper delivered at the International Association of Chinese Linguistics-6 (IACL-6), Leiden, June 19–21, 1997, the Netherlands.
Huang, S.-Z. (2001). Adjectives and nouns and a type matching constraint on their semantic types. Paper delivered at the Joint Session of the International Association of Chinese Linguistics-10 and the North America Conference on Chinese Linguistics-13 (IACL10-NACCL13), June 21–23, 2001, UC Irvine.
Huang, S.-Z. (2005) Universal quantification with Skolemization as evidenced in Chinese and English. New York: Edwin Mellen Press.
Krifka, M. (1995). Common nouns: A contrastive analysis of Chinese and English. In G. N. Carlson, & F. J. Pelletier (Eds.), The generic book. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Lakoff, G. (1970). Irregularity of syntax. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.
Landman, F. (1988). Groups, plural individuals, and intensionality. In J. Groenendijk, M. Stokhof, & F.Veltman (Eds.), Proceedings of the sixth Amsterdam colloquium (pp. 197–217). Amsterdam: ITLI.
Larson, R. (1998). Events and modification in nominals. In D. Strolovitch, & A. Lawson (Eds.), Proceeding from SALT VIII, pp. 145–168.
Li, C., & Thompson, S. (1981). Mandarin Chinese: A functional reference grammar. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Li, Y. (1996). Feiwei Xingrongci de Cilei Diwei [The word class status of nonpredicative adjectives]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 250, 1–9.
Link, G. (1983). The logical analysis of plurals and mass terms: A lattice theoretical approach. In R. Bauerle, C. Schwarze, & A. von Stechow (Eds.), Meaning, use and interpretation of language (pp. 303–323). Berlin: De Gruyter.
Lunt, H. G. (1958). Fundamentals of Russian. New York: Norton.
Lu, S. (1980). Xiandai Hanyu Babai Ci [Eight hundred words in modern Chinese]. Beijing: Commercial Press.
Lu, S. (1984). Hanyu Yufa Lunwen Ji [Collections of articles on Chinese grammar]. Beijing: Commercial Press.
Partee, B. (1987). Noun phrase interpretation and type shifting principles. In J. Groenendijk, & M. Stokhof (Eds.), Studies in discourse representation theory and the theory of generalized quantifiers (GRASS 8) (pp. 115–143). Dordrecht: Foris.
Parsons, T. (1990). Events in the semantics of English: A study in subatomic semantics. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Reichenbach, H. (1947). Elements of symbolic logic. New York: Macmillan. Shen, J. (1997). Xingrongci Jufa Gongneng de Biaoji Mushi [The marking model of the syntactic functions of adjectives]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 259, 242–250.
Siegel, M. (1976) Capturing the adjective, PhD dissertation, University of Massachusetts at Amherst; published in The Garland Outstanding Dissertations in Linguistics Series, 1980.
Shi, Y. (1991). Xiandai Hanyu de Kendingxing Xingrongci [Affirmative adjectives in modern Chinese]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 222, 167–174
Sproat, R., & Shih, C. (1988). Prenominal adjectival ordering in English and Mandarin. Proceedings of NELS, GLSA, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, pp. 465–489.
Sproat, R., & Shih, C. (1991). The cross-linguistic distribution of adjective ordering restrictions. In C. Georgopoulos, & R. Ishihara (Eds.), Interdisciplinary approaches to language: Essays in honor of S.-Y. Kuroda (pp. 565–593). Dordrecht: Kluwer.
Sybesma, R. (1992) Causatives and accomplishments: The case of Chinese Ba, PhD dissertation. HIL/ Leiden University.
Sybesma, R. (1997). Why Chinese verb-Le is a resultative predicate. Journal of East Asian Linguistics, 6, 215–261.
Wade, T. (1992). A comprehensive Russian grammar. Cambridge: Blackwell.
Wang, G. (1991). Daye Jinhu de De, Ge, and De + Ge [De, Ge, and De + Ge in Daye (Jinhu) Dialect]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 3, 211–215.
Xiao, F. (1956). Mingcixing Cizu Zhong ‘de’ zi de Zuoyong [De’s function in the nominal phrases]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 3, 23–26.
Xing, F. (1962). Guanyu Fuci Xiushi Mingci [On adverbs modifying nouns]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 5, 215–217.
Xing, F. (1997). Hen Shunü [Very lady-like]. Yuyan Yanjiu, 2, 1–10.
Xing, F. (2000). Zui Yi Jiceng de Duogeti Hanliang [Multiple referents of the superlative expres- sions]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 274, 16–26.
Yu, A. (Anne Hashimoto) (1995). Guangdong Kaiping Fangyan de ‘de’ Zi Jiegou [De-construction in Guangdong Kaiping dialect]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 247, 289–297.
Yuan, Y. (1995). Weici Yinhan jiqi Jufa Houguo [Positing implicit verbs and its syntactic conse- quences]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 247, 241–255.
Zhang, G. (2000). Xiandai Hanyu Xingrongci de Dianxing Tezheng [The characteristics of adjectives in modern Chinese]. Zhongguo Yuwen, 278, 447–458.
Zhu, D. (1956). Xiandai Hanyu Xingrongci Yanjiu [Studies of adjectives in modern Chinese]. Yuyan Yanjiu 1. Also published in Zhu Dexi (1980) Xiandai Hanyu Yufa Yanjiu [Grammatical studies of modern Chinese], Commercial Press, Beijing, pp. 3–41.
Zhu, D. (1961). Shuo DE [On DE]. Zhongguo Yuwen. China: Beijing, also published in Zhu Dexi (1980) Xiandai Hanyu Yufa Yanjiu [Grammatical studies of modern Chinese], Commercial Press, Beijing, pp. 67–103.
Zhu, D. (1980). Beijing Hua, Guangzhou Hua, Wenshui Hua he Fuzhou Hua li de ‘DE’ Zi [DE in Beijing Mandarin, Cantonese, Wenshui Dialect, and Fuzhou Dialect]. Fangyan, 3, 160–165.
Zhu, D. (1983). Zizhi he Zhuanzhi [Self-designation and transferred-designation]. Fangyan, 3, 16–31.
Zhu, D. (1993). Cong Fangyan he Lishi Kan Zhuangtai Xingrongci [Investigation of adjectives that describe temporary properties from a dialectal and diachronic perspective]. Fangyan, 2, 81–100.
Zhu, M. (1982). Zhu Zi Yu Lei zhong ‘di‘’, ‘di.’ de Yufa Zuoyong [On the Grammatical Functions of ‘di‘’ and ‘di.’ in The Zhu Zi Yu Lei . Zhongguo Yuwen, 3, 193–197.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Early versions of this article were presented at IACL-6, Leiden, 1997, at IACL10-NACCL13 at University of California at Irvine in 2001, and at Maribel Romero’s semantics seminar at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001. I thank the audiences for their comments and encouragements, and I thank Professor Romero for giving me the opportunity for research and for directing me to some important references. I am particularly grateful to Wynn Chao for discussing some of the issues with me and to Jo-wang Lin, Jie Xu, and Niina Zhang for their encouragement and interest in this work in its early phase of development. One member of the Philadelphia Semantics Society, Muffy Siegel, since 2001 has been the most important and regular discussant with me on almost all of the issues studied in this work. She has read several drafts in their entirety, providing detailed comments on content as well as style. Those discussions and comments have helped me tremendously in terms of both theory development and data analysis. I also benefited greatly during my last round of revision from other members of the Philadelphia Semantics Society: Ted Fernald and Jack Hoeksema (then a visiting professor at Swarthmore College) when I gave a presentation in Spring 2006. They offered many valuable suggestions and data, which I incorporated into the final version. I am indebted to the three anonymous JEAL reviewers whose comments and suggestions have led to important improvements in this work. Needless to say, all errors remain mine.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Huang, SZ. Property Theory, Adjectives, and Modification in Chinese. J East Asian Linguist 15, 343–369 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10831-006-9002-0
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10831-006-9002-0