Nounphrase und Chinese

Term Paper , 2006 , 17 Pages , Grade: 2.7

English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics

In grammatical theory, definiteness is a feature of noun phrase, distinguishing between entities which are specific and identifiable in a given context (definite noun phrases) and entities which are not (indefinite noun phrases). In this paper, I will discuss some major characteristics of determiner phrase in natural language, particularly the determiner phrase and Chinese. Under the theory of Cheng & Sybesma (1999), I will interpret DP in Chinese, and in the end of this paper I want to analyze DP in code change between English and Chinese.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Data
  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Hungarian
• The Determiner Phrase (DP) and Chinese
  • Introduction to the Chinese demonstrative
  • The difference between English and Chinese demonstrative
  • The forms and interpretations of Chinese noun phrases
  • The DP approach to the Chinese nominal
    • Structure of definite noun phrases
    • Structure of indefinite noun phrases
    • Conclusion
• DP in Code Changes between English and Chinese
  • The two constraints in code change
  • The DP in code change
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to explore the characteristics of the determiner phrase (DP) in natural language, particularly focusing on its differences between English and Chinese. The paper analyzes DP in Chinese under the theoretical framework of Cheng & Sybesma (1999), ultimately examining the role of DP in code change between the two languages.

• The role of the DP in distinguishing between definite and indefinite noun phrases across languages.
• The specific characteristics and behavior of the DP in English, German, French, and Hungarian.
• The differences between English and Chinese demonstratives and their implications for DP structure.
• The DP approach to analyzing Chinese noun phrases, encompassing both definite and indefinite structures.
• The influence of DP in code changes between English and Chinese.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of definiteness in noun phrases and outlines the paper's focus on the DP and its variations in English and Chinese.
• Data: This chapter compares the characteristics of the DP across four languages: English, German, French, and Hungarian. It highlights key differences in articles, adjective placement, and case marking.
• The Determiner Phrase (DP) and Chinese: This chapter delves into the DP in Chinese, examining the nature of demonstratives and comparing them to their English counterparts. It further explores the DP approach to analyzing both definite and indefinite Chinese noun phrases.
• DP in Code Changes between English and Chinese: This chapter investigates the role of DP in code changes between English and Chinese. It explores the constraints influencing these changes and the specific implications of the DP in this process.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and concepts explored in this paper include determiner phrase (DP), definiteness, indefinite noun phrases, demonstratives, code change, English, Chinese, Cheng & Sybesma theory.

• College: University of Stuttgart
• Grade: 2.7
• Author: Ping Liu (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 17
• Catalog Number: V73716
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638734110
• Language: English
• Tags: Nounphrase, Chinese