A Comparative Study Of The English And Chinese DOC Based On Minimalist Program

This thesis studies differences between English & Chinese double-object construction on the basis of Minimalist Program by Chomsky (1998). From the point of Principle and Parameter Theory, Feature Checking Theory and structurally complicated components should be merged before Simple Ones Theory, we have compared their differences. From researches of Core Functional Category, Feature Checking Theory in Minimalist Program, this thesis researched differences of English & Chinese operations procedures are merge, agree and move. Based on many valuable references, we have found that not only Semantic Information but Category Information has played an important role on merge order of VP phase. We found the biolinguistic perspective, processing ability of language faculty and limitation of active memory have great influence on language production. This point has supplied new revelation on the differences of English & Chinese double-object construction.Double-object construction is one of the hottest topics in Generative Grammar. The main reasons are caused by a few controversial topics: 1) the cases of two nominal phases in double-object construction. 2) The relationship between double-object construction and dative construction, the controversial point is that which one is basic produced and which one is transformed. This thesis studies on cases of two nominal phases in double-object construction and mainly concerns on the differences between English & Chinese double-object construction. In Government and Binding frame, cases are endowed to nominal phases. In Minimalist Program, features of nominal phases must be moved to Spec-Head to be checked. Based on Chomsky's Minimalist Inquire (1998), scholar He Xiao Wei, has proved the validity of three valuable propositions: 1) nominal phases have got thematic role in Lexical Array, and are accepted during merge operation; 2) merge order are controlled by Argument Hierarchy; 3) Core Functional Category "v" has strong nominal feature, this feature checks indirect object D feature. Furthermore, we also study on the relationship between double-object construction and dative construction which is also one of hottest topics of Syntax in Generative Grammar. Some researchers think that the double-object construction is transformed from the dative construction, while others hold double-object construction is basic produced. From points of similarity in semantic and difference in syntax, this thesis has discussed relationship of two constructions according to Chomsky (2000, 2001)'s Newest Theory. Based on the latest syntactic theory (Chomsky 2000, 2001) which studies language acquisition and typology, syntactic and semantic evidence, and lexical restrictions, this paper argues that there is no transformational relation between double-object construction and dative construction.