A Generative-Typology Approach To Classifier Phrase

Languages can be grouped as,in terms of the presence or absence of a classifier in a numeral phrase,either classifier or non-classifier languages(Greenberg 1963).Within the framework of the Generative Grammar,this dissertation focuses on classifiers and numeral constructions(or classifier phrases)in Chinese and other classifier languages as well.Based on merge and simplest merge,distributed morphology and syntax cartography,the dissertation attempts to probe the properties of classifiers,deconstruct the internal structure of numeral phrases,draw syntax cartography of relevant numeral phrases,and tackle with their interpretations.Since Ma(1898/1998)first advocated j� sh� zh? bi� ch?ng,meaning another name for counting,classifier has been a focus in the studies of Chinese grammar.Relevant researches include classifications of classifiers,interpretations of classifiers,diachronic changes and grammaticalization,which make various achievements,and deepen recognitions of classifier and numeral constructions.Some controversies,however,still exist.The dissertation,based on the theoretical advantages of previous studies,attempts to explore some controversies under some novel theory hypotheses.Since classifiers and countablity or uncountability of nouns are generally assumed to connect closely,the dissertation,after exploring various approaches to countability,advocates that the addition of a classifier in a numeral phrase is a syntax requirement,though the choice of a classifier may be affected by the content of nouns.Countablity or uncountablity of nouns cannot be separated from the process of syntax constructing.The results of previous researches actually fit into different stages of syntax constructing,resulting in some confusing debates.Nouns,except their concept meaning before they are introduced to syntax construction,do not carry any grammatical features,which are obtained during the process of syntax constructing.Relevant readings,such as numeral reading and definite reading,also result from different stages of syntax constructing.One focus in researches is classifications of classifiers.The dissertation follows the idea,as null hypothesis,that classifiers should be divided into individual classifiers and massifiers(Cheng & Sybesma 1998;1999).The basic lexical meanings of individual classifiers are generally bleached during their development,resulting in independent function items,while massifiers,though functioning as classifiers in syntax constructing,reserve at least partial lexical meanings.Specifically,the dissertation argues that only individual classifiers are a morphology feature in classifier languages,but massifers are cross-linguistically universal.Individual classifiers,which import no information or meaning to the reference,reflect the inherent property of objects.Massifiers,however,reflect accidental property of objects.They are pseudo-classifiers or semi-lexical nouns.Classifiers and massifiers,though displaying some similar syntactic forms,are not of the same syntactic category.The structures constructed by massifier are partitive constructions or pseudo-partitivie constructions,which are syntactically different from classifier constructions.Another focus in Generative Grammar is whether a noun phrase projects into DP level.The dissertation argues that the numeral phrase in classifier languages can project into DP,during which focus and topics are stacked between D and N.Topic construction,higher modifiers and lower modifiers are generated through external merge.Modifiers such as adjectives or relative clauses in different syntactic positions actually occupy different slots in the nominal domain,resulting in different readings.There is no transformation between higher a modifier and a lower modifier.Such property enables us to explore syntactic cartography.The dissertation further advocates that adjuncts are not generated through adjunction,which may be employed to explore grain-fined internal structure and semantic difference.Since Greenberg(1963),it has been generally acknowledged that a classifier and a plurality marker are incompatible.A language,if it expresses plurality through overt morphology markers,generally disallows a classifier.Chapter 6 deals with �men in Chinese,arguing that �men is not a plurality marker,but a collective marker.The definite reading of �men is from DFin within DP.Based on the vocative feature of � men,the dissertation suggests a saP projection above �men structure.Inclusive reading and non-inclusive reading actually relate to different agreements between projections of saP and �men.The idea explains different readings of �men,and provides important method for further researches.The dissertation finally argues that classifier duplication,which has been regarded as a grammar mechanism to express plurality,cannot be pure phonology duplication,pure singular or plurality marker.Classifier quantification actually can be two generation mechanisms during the process of syntax constructing,targeting the head of NumP and QuantP respectively,resulting in plurality reading and quantification reading respectively.This can explain distributions and restrictions of yi and dou in Chinese classifier duplication.