The Syntax and Semantics of Phonological Phrasing in Shanghai and Hokkien

Author: Hooi Ling S.

Source: Journal of East Asian Linguistics, Volume 10, Number 1, January 2001 , pp. 37-80(44)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

It has been observed that phonological phrasing in Shanghai distinguishes certain determiners from others and wh-quantifier phrases from non-wh-quantifier phrases (Jin (1986), cited in Hung (1987) and Selkirk and Shen (1990)). In this paper, I show that such phonological phrasing distinctions are also found in Hokkien but in a more restricted environment. I propose a unified analysis of the phrasing facts in Shanghai and Hokkien. Specifically, I claim that the phonological phrasing rules are sensitive to the feature [±definite]. A DP specified for the feature [-definite] is phrased differently from one that is specified for [+definite] or unspecified with respect to the definiteness feature. In addition, I claim that phonological phrasing rules cannot see a syntactic projection with no phonological content. I propose the following phonological phrasing parameters for Shanghai and Hokkien Chinese.

a.Shanghai Chinese Phrasing Parameter:

Mark the left edge of all overt XPs, except [-definite] XPs.

b.Hokkien Chinese Phrasing Paremeter:

Mark the right edge of all overt XPs, except [-definite] XPs.

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Linguistics, English as a Second Language, and Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Minnesota, 215 Nolte Center, 315 Pilsbury Drive S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, U.S.A.; E-mail: sohxxool@tc.umn.edu

Publication date: 2001-01-01