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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Data
2.1 English
2.2 German
2.3 French
2.4 Hungarian
3. The Determiner Phrase (DP) and Chinese
3.1 Introduction to the Chinese demonstrative
3.2 The difference between English and Chinese demonstrative
3.3 The forms and interpretations of Chinese noun phrases
3.4 The DP approach to the Chinese nominal
3.4.1 Structure of definite noun phrases
3.4.2 Structure of indefinite noun phrases
3.4.3 Conclusion
4. DP in Code Changes between English and Chinese
4.1 The two constraints in code change
4.2 The DP in code change
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to explore the characteristics of the Determiner Phrase (DP) in natural languages, specifically comparing the nominal structures of English, German, French, and Hungarian with Chinese. The primary research goal is to interpret the DP in Chinese and analyze how these structures influence code-switching behavior between English and Chinese.
- Comparison of definite and indefinite articles across languages
- Application of the DP hypothesis to the Chinese nominal system
- Analysis of the classifier system in Chinese noun phrases
- Examination of syntactic constraints on bilingual code-switching
Excerpt from the Book
3.4.2 Structure of the indefinite noun phrases
For indefinite noun phrases in Chinese, Cheng & Sybesma (1999) propose that there is a Numeral Phrase (Nume P) stacked on top of the Classifier Phrase. Since Numeral Phrases are inherently indefinite, the whole noun phrase results in having an indefinite interpretation.
The classifier and the numeral can be overt or covert. When the numeral is overt, the classifier cannot be covert, as illustrated in the following example:
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Defines the concept of definiteness and outlines the paper's intent to apply Cheng & Sybesma’s DP theory to Chinese and code-switching analysis.
2. Data: Provides a comparative overview of how articles and nouns function in English, German, French, and Hungarian.
3. The Determiner Phrase (DP) and Chinese: Investigates the functional role of demonstratives and classifiers in Chinese, contrasting them with English determiner systems.
4. DP in Code Changes between English and Chinese: Applies syntactic constraints to analyze how Chinese and English elements are integrated during code-switching.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes that Chinese possesses a 'loose DP' structure incorporating Classifier and Numeral Phrases rather than a 'strict DP' based on articles.
Keywords
Determiner Phrase, DP, Chinese linguistics, Syntax, Definiteness, Classifier, Code-switching, Bilingualism, Universal Grammar, Noun Phrase, Morphemes, Syntactic constraints, Numeral Phrase, Referentiality, Semantics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research?
The research focuses on the structure of the Determiner Phrase (DP) in natural language, with a particular emphasis on comparing Chinese nominal structures to those of Western languages.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The paper covers the typology of articles, the function of classifiers in Chinese, the theoretical "DP hypothesis," and the syntactic rules governing code-switching between English and Chinese.
What is the main objective of the study?
The goal is to determine if Chinese functions with a "strict" or "loose" DP and to understand how these structural differences impact code-switching patterns.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a comparative linguistic analysis, grounded in the theories of Cheng & Sybesma, to examine nominal superstructures and applies Poplack’s constraints to analyze code-switching data.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body examines data from various languages, provides a detailed breakdown of the Chinese classifier system, and analyzes instances of code-mixing to observe how DPs interact during speech.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Determiner Phrase, Chinese linguistics, Classifier, Code-switching, Definiteness, and Syntactic constraints.
How does the classifier system in Chinese differ from English articles?
Unlike English, which uses articles like 'the' or 'a' to define nouns, Chinese uses a classifier system that is more dependent on number and the specific nature of the noun (e.g., shape or animacy).
What does the author conclude about the "strict DP" in Chinese?
The author argues that there is no evidence for a "strict DP" in Chinese because the language allows bare nouns to function as arguments, suggesting instead a "loose" structure defined by Classifier and Numeral Phrases.
- Citation du texte
- Ping Liu (Auteur), 2006, Nounphrase und Chinese, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73716
