Theme maximalization through modifiers: A case of Mandarin verbal classifier bian
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3765/plsa.v9i1.5721Keywords:
maximalization, theme, verbal classifier, adjunct, modifierAbstract
Maximalization strategies and their syntactic representations are at the centre of a long debate (Filip & Rothstein 2005; Filip 2008; Martínez Vera 2021; a.o.). Semantically, events can be maximalized with respect to theme, path, degree, etc., and thus maximalization features several types. Syntactically, maximalization has been argued to be exerted by a verb or an argument of the verb. This research offers a novel observation that elements in a modifier position can also introduce maximalization. In particular, I propose that Mandarin verbal classifier bian is a theme-maximalizing element situated in an adjunct of VP. I further provide a compositional analysis within the framework of neo-Davidsonian event semantics. In the end, I compare bian with another theme-maximaling element diao and identify two distinct levels of theme maximalization.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Yiyang Guo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Published by the LSA with permission of the author(s) under a CC BY 4.0 license.