<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Adopting the cartographic approach, this paper proposes syntactic positions for all left-periphery particles above the tense phrase (TP) in Cantonese. These include both sentence-final particles and sentence-initial particles that can be used in isolation as interjections. Based on previous syntactic proposals for the left periphery, a modification of Rizzi’s (2001) split-complementizer phrase (Split-CP) structure is proposed. A Deictic Phrase (DeicP) is added above the finite phrase (FinP) for the Cantonese “tense” particles <italic>laa3</italic> and <italic>lei4</italic>(<italic>ge3</italic>). Then, based on a number of proposals inspired by Speas and Tenny (2003), two functional phrases are added above the force phrase (ForceP) – a higher affect phrase (AffectP) for Cantonese sentence-initial particles and a lower discourse phrase (DiscourseP) for most of the sentence-final particles. The resulting structure is tentatively proposed to account for the word order of all left-periphery particles in Cantonese, bringing the description of their syntax closer in line with a number of proposals based on left-periphery particles in other languages. This proposal includes a three-way distinction of the functions and meanings of left-periphery particles: 1) particles that lie between ForceP and TP do not refer directly to the discourse context; 2) particles that head DiscourseP <italic>do</italic> refer directly to the discourse; and 3) particles that head AffectP refer to the discourse <italic>and</italic> express human emotions.</abstract>

The Syntax and Semantics of Cantonese Particles in the Left Periphery

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This paper discusses the syntactic and semantic properties of the two functions of the post-verbal <italic>can1</italic> in Cantonese. The first function of the post-verbal <italic>can1</italic> is a non-specific resultative particle that denotes any degree on a “bodily harm” scale. The non-specific nature of <italic>can1</italic> ensures that the scale is always a simplex scale (containing only a beginning and an end) and thus [V-<italic>can1</italic>] predicates behave like achievement verbs. The second function of the post-verbal <italic>can1</italic> is a free choice item (FCI). It appears only in non-episodic sentences, specifically in <italic>dou1</italic> (iota operator)-conditionals or <italic>zau6</italic> (necessity operator)-conditionals.</abstract>

The Dual Identity of the Post-Verbal <italic>Can1</italic> in Cantonese: A Non-Specific Resultative Particle and a Free Choice Item

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This study deals with a syntactic analysis of the V-one-V construction that has implications on the structure of verbal modification in Cantonese. The V-one-V construction is unique in several ways, making it distinct from the cognate object construction in English or the verb-doubling construction in Cantonese. Several syntactic and semantic properties are discussed that support a syntactic analysis of V-one-V as an instance of syntactic verb copying (Corver and Nunes 2007) rather than a morphological treatment often prescribed to reduplication. The V-one-V construction consists of two copies of a verb with a number or quantifier <italic>jat1</italic> ‘one’, <italic>loeng5</italic> ‘two’, or <italic>gei2</italic> ‘few’ between the copies. The construction denotes the delimitation of events, displaying interpretations of tentative, brief occurrences of events. This pattern indicates that V-one-V denotes delimitation in the senses of both counting and measuring and the choice depends on the nature of the VP, according to the data. This study also contributes to the discussion on postverbal modification as an alternative to V-one-V, which is more productive in its meaning and lexical choice.</abstract>

The V-one-V Construction and Modification of the Verbal Domain in Cantonese

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Verb-object (VO) separable compound verbs (SCVs), for example, <italic>lí-le-hūn</italic> ‘divorced’, have long been studied. A small group of non-VO compounds in Cantonese are also separable, but have not yet been addressed. In this study, a preliminary judgment test was used for the first time, to look into the separation of non-VO compounds. We found that the separation of non-VO compounds, though limited, is different from that of VO compounds in terms of their ways of separation. There seems to be an effect of the ways of separation and the morphological structures of the verbs on the separability. We also showed that the underlying identity of non-VO SCVs is lexical, as most of them do not have a phrasal form. This group of separable verbs, which was neglected before, could have an impact on related morpho-syntactic theories.</abstract>

Morpho-Syntax of Non-VO Separable Compound Verbs in Cantonese

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Studies in Chinese Linguistics

 STUDIES IN CHINESE LINGUISTICS (ISSN 1017-1274) is an international academic journal devoted to comparative study of Chinese language and linguistics and a platform for research of comparative linguistics and dialectal grammar under a comparative approach. It was first published in 1980 by T.T. Ng Chinese Language Research Centre (CLRC) of the Institute of Chinese Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The journal is edited by CLRC, published and distributed by Sciendo (formerly De Gruyter Open) since 2015, with a single volume yearly containing two issues, three articles in each issue on average. We especially welcome synchronic or diachronic comparative works on any aspects of the syntax, semantics, and morphology among Chinese dialects or between a Chinese language/dialect and any languages that contribute to theoretical linguistics or have significant theoretical implications.  The journal does not have article processing charges (APCs) nor article submission charges.  Rejection Rate   64%   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 

Studies in Chinese Linguistics

Volume 41 (2020): Issue 2 (December 2020)

The Syntax and Semantics of Cantonese Particles in the Left Periphery

The Dual Identity of the Post-Verbal Can1 in Cantonese: A Non-Specific Resultative Particle and a Free Choice Item

The V-one-V Construction and Modification of the Verbal Domain in Cantonese

Morpho-Syntax of Non-VO Separable Compound Verbs in Cantonese

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