Sentential Negation In Tujia Language From The Perspective Of Transformational-generative Grammar

It is well acknowledged that negative sentence is an indispensable pattern for human communication,which has been a hot topic for grammar studying.In general,the researches on sentential negation are conducted from the perspectives of semantics,pragmatics and syntax.Derived from the recognition of negative markers,disagreements still exist in the syntactic study of negative sentences.Linguists hold different opinions on whether negative markers should be an adverb,clitic or inflectional affix,which naturally leads to the differeneces in syntactic analysis.This thesis focuses on the grammatical survey of Northern Tujia language,choosing negative sentences containing negation markers like tha⁵⁵,ta³⁵,tau³⁵,thai³⁵ and thau³⁵ as the object to discuss and analyze their distribution and the syntactic status of negative markers in Tujia language.This thesis proposes a novel analysis of negative markers in Tujia langauge,trying to solve the following three questions:?1?Among the five negative markers,which is the original one??2?What is the syntactic status of negative markers tha⁵⁵ and ta³⁵??3?What leads to the different linear order of tha⁵⁵ in negative imperatives and in declarative sentence?As for the first question,we have conducted comprehensive describtion and analysis on the negative markers to generalize their distribution properties based on collected langauge data.And then making use of interaction between negative markes and aspectuality,illustrating examples concerning minimal pairs,we assume that negative markers thai³⁵,tau³⁵ and thau³⁵ are derived forms consisting of a primitive marker fused with other elements such as aspectual particle "I","u".Based on the analysis on Tujia language,the author finds that adverbs often precede verbs.While it is contradictory with the opinion that the negative marker is adverb,for negative makers always follow predicate verb in Tujia language.Therefore,following the Pollock's NegP Hypothesis and relevant theories proposed by Chomsky,the author argues that the negative markers tha⁵⁵ and ta³⁵ are the head of maximal projection of NegP in declarative sentences.Language contact manifests itself in the pronunciation,vocabulary and grammar.This thesis also concentrates on analyzing the negative sentences,imperatives and comparative constructions in Tujia language which have been influenced by the interaction with Mandarin Chinese,trying to expound why the special linear order occurs when tha⁵⁵ used in imperatives.It is due to the language contact that tha⁵⁵ precedes the verbs in imperatives.Thus,it is in the position of specifier of NegP.All in all,the five negative markers in Tujia language perform their respective functions,and also have close connection with each other,forming a special negative system in the Tujia language.