He, Jia. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [150-154] ). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.iii / 摘要 --- p.iv / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Classifiers in natural languages --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Classifier systems in spoken languages --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Classifiers in signed languages --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3 --- Instruments in spoken languages --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the study --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5 --- Research questions --- p.19 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.20 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- CLASSIFIERS IN SIGNED LANGUAGES --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Classifier predicates in signed languages --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Classification of classifier handshape unit in classifier predicates --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Classification of movement unit in classifier predicates --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3 --- Previous formal analyses on classifier predicates in signed languages --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Meir's (2001) noun incorporation analysis in Israel Sign Language --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Zwitserlood's (2003) analysis of verbs of motion and location in NGT --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Benedicto and Brentari's (2004) syntactic analysis of classifier predicates in ASL --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Some previous attempts to analyze classifier predicates in HKSL --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4 --- Interim discussion and conclusion --- p.36 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2 --- Background of Tianjin Sign Language --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3 --- Data collection --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Consultants --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Elicitation materials --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- "Movies: ""Tweety and Sylvester""" --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Picture stories --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Simple picture descriptions --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Elicitation tasks and procedures --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Transcription method --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4 --- Interim discussion and conclusion --- p.47 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- RESULTS AND DATA DESCRIPTION --- p.48 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2 --- Inventory of handshapes for instrument classifier predicates --- p.48 / Chapter 4.3 --- Classifier handshape and predicate types --- p.66 / Chapter 4.4 --- Interim discussion and conclusion --- p.68 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- THEORETICAL BACKGROUNDS --- p.69 / Chapter 5.1 --- Distributed Morphology --- p.69 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- An overview of Distributed Morphology --- p.69 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- The concept of morpheme in DM --- p.73 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Cyclic domain in DM --- p.73 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Why reject Lexicalism? --- p.74 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Interim discussion and conclusion --- p.77 / Chapter 5.2 --- Capturing 3-place predicates in syntax --- p.79 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Larson's VP-shell analysis (1988) --- p.79 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- "Pylkannen's analysis (2002, 2008)" --- p.83 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Introduction of non-core arguments --- p.83 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- Applicatives in natural languages --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Interim Discussion and conclusion --- p.87 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX --- FORMAL ANALYSIS OF INSTRUMENT CLASSIFIER PREDICATES IN TJSL --- p.89 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.89 / Chapter 6.2 --- Morphosyntactic properties of instrument classifier predicates in TJSL --- p.89 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Two types of three-place classifier predicates in TJSL --- p.89 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Handling classifier handshape and agentivity --- p.93 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Signer's body encodes agentivity --- p.96 / Chapter 6.2.3.1 --- Grammatical function of the signer's body --- p.97 / Chapter 6.2.3.2 --- Test for argument status of signer's body --- p.100 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Classifier handshape and noun class system --- p.107 / Chapter 6.2.4.1 --- Classifier handshape and gender system --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2.4.2 --- Instrument classifier handshapes: unifying gender system and noun classes --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2.4.2.1 --- Variation in the choice of classifier handshape in instrument classifier predicates in TJSL --- p.110 / Chapter 6.2.4.2.2 --- Classifier handshape and ^-feature specification --- p.113 / Chapter 6.2.4.2.3 --- Locationalization of classifier handshapes in space --- p.118 / Chapter 6.3 --- Structural representation of instrument classifier predicates --- p.120 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Voice0 and volitional external argument in instrument classifier predicates --- p.120 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Instrument as high applicative --- p.121 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- How instrument classifier predicates are derived in TJSL? --- p.125 / Chapter 6.4 --- Interim discussion and conclusion --- p.138 / Chapter CHAPTER SEVEN --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.139 / Chapter 7.1 --- Summery --- p.139 / Chapter 7.2 --- Theoretical implications --- p.140 / List of tables / Appendix I / Appendix II / References