Encoding dot-like events in Modern Standard Chinese. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cominetti, Federica; Simone, Raffaele
• Is Part Of: Language sciences. Volume 62(2017:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Modern Standard Chinese -- Dot-like events -- Nominalization -- Classifiers -- Phrasal patterns; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Language and languages -- Periodicals; Linguistique -- Périodiques; Langage et langues -- Périodiques; Language and languages; Linguistics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.langsci.2016.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0388-0001

Abstract

Abstract: This paper investigates which nominal strategies are available in a language to encode the dot-like process, i.e., the one described by the features [−durative, +telic]. A variety of solutions is available: clausal, phrasal and lexical. The language taken into consideration is Modern Standard Chinese, where lexical and phrasal solutions are used, both interestingly involving a characteristic use of classifiers. Three (plus one) different types of lexicalizations are identified for the encoding of dot-like processes in Chinese. The paper also suggests an affinity between such nominals and classifiers and corroborates the claim that operations such as nominalization spread through typologically different languages. Highlights: Dot-like events may get specific encoding on the verb-noun continuum. Encoding strategies for dot-like events may be lexical, morphological or phrasal. Chinese has specific strategies for encoding dot-like events. Such strategies are of two kinds: lexical and phrasal. All the strategies for encoding dot-like events in Chinese involve the use of a classifier.