11 |
Unbounded dependencies in cleft constructionsKizu, Mika. January 1999 (has links)
This thesis is concerned with the syntactic properties of cleft constructions in Japanese within the Principles and Parameters framework with some consideration of the Minimalist Program. The constructions in question are divided syntactically into two sub-parts, a focus element and a presuppositional clause. This thesis claims that the focused element's position is not derived via a process of movement such as scrambling, but is instead base-generated in a predicate position occupied by a single constituent. Presuppositional clauses of clefts are argued to involve movement of a null operator, which is analyzed on a par with topicalization. This is supported by various syntactic parallelisms between cleft and topic constructions in this language. While the presuppositional clause is marked by a nominalizer, it is shown that it does not project a nominal category; in this sense, cleft constructions are analogous to head-internal relative clauses. Furthermore, one of the most interesting properties of the cleft construction, the syntactic phenomenon of 'connectivity', is closely examined. I propose that long-distance cleft constructions in Japanese have peculiar structures: a null operator originates adjoined to the highest complement clause, and its thematic position is occupied by pro. This analysis is supported by empirical facts which involve binding relations, weak crossover effects, interactions with another A'-dependency, and clefting adjunct PPs. It is shown that these types of resumptive A '-dependencies are observed across languages as well as in different constructions within the Japanese language. Finally, the discussion is extended to so-called sluicing in Japanese. This thesis observes similar syntactic behavior in sluicing and clefts, which leads to the argument that sluicing sentences are derived from cleft constructions.
|
12 |
An interface approach to topic/focus structureUechi, Akihiko 11 1900 (has links)
This dissertation examines how information structure is represented in the different components of
Japanese grammar. Each chapter investigates how topic/comment structure and focus/background
structure are manifested in a given component of the grammar; that is, in phonology, syntax, and
discourse/semantics.
In chapter 2,1 investigate the interaction of syntax and prosody. I introduce the End-based
analysis proposed by Selkirk &Tateishi (1988, 91) and propose certain revisions in order to
accommodate a broader range of empirical facts than has previously been discussed in the literature.
I show that presentational focus and contrastive focus are phonologically distinct and that contrastive
focus overrides phonological phrasing. I then demonstrate that the system of focus projection
proposed for stress languages such as English and German applies to Japanese. I show that focus
projection takes place in the syntactic component, prior to mapping into prosodic structure, from
the head of the phrase to its sisters (cf. Rochemont 1996)
In chapter 3, I establish the discourse function of wa-marking in Japanese, extending
Buring's analysis of sentence topics. I demonstrate that the discourse function of wa-marking
parallels that of the L H * contour (B-accent) in English, and claim that wa-marking is equivalent to
T-marking in the model of Biiring (1998). As such, wa-marking can be viewed as one of the
discourse strategies available in Japanese for ensuring that a given assertion is congruent - that is,
appropriate - to the question under discussion.
In chapter 4,1 investigate the representation of information structure in syntax. I propose a
phrase structure for Japanese based on a universal hierarchy of functional categories. I then divide
the syntactic structure of Japanese into two major syntactic domains, which I call the topic domain
and the comment domain. I show that both sentence topics and contrastively focused constituents
must not be inside IP, which is identified as the comment domain. I further argue that subjects
outside IP must be wa-marked unless contrastively focused. I conclude that syntactic structure is
discourse-configurationally based.
To conclude, I discuss the architecture of the grammar that emerges from the proposal
defended in each chapter of this dissertation.
|
13 |
An interface approach to topic/focus structureUechi, Akihiko 11 1900 (has links)
This dissertation examines how information structure is represented in the different components of
Japanese grammar. Each chapter investigates how topic/comment structure and focus/background
structure are manifested in a given component of the grammar; that is, in phonology, syntax, and
discourse/semantics.
In chapter 2,1 investigate the interaction of syntax and prosody. I introduce the End-based
analysis proposed by Selkirk &Tateishi (1988, 91) and propose certain revisions in order to
accommodate a broader range of empirical facts than has previously been discussed in the literature.
I show that presentational focus and contrastive focus are phonologically distinct and that contrastive
focus overrides phonological phrasing. I then demonstrate that the system of focus projection
proposed for stress languages such as English and German applies to Japanese. I show that focus
projection takes place in the syntactic component, prior to mapping into prosodic structure, from
the head of the phrase to its sisters (cf. Rochemont 1996)
In chapter 3, I establish the discourse function of wa-marking in Japanese, extending
Buring's analysis of sentence topics. I demonstrate that the discourse function of wa-marking
parallels that of the L H * contour (B-accent) in English, and claim that wa-marking is equivalent to
T-marking in the model of Biiring (1998). As such, wa-marking can be viewed as one of the
discourse strategies available in Japanese for ensuring that a given assertion is congruent - that is,
appropriate - to the question under discussion.
In chapter 4,1 investigate the representation of information structure in syntax. I propose a
phrase structure for Japanese based on a universal hierarchy of functional categories. I then divide
the syntactic structure of Japanese into two major syntactic domains, which I call the topic domain
and the comment domain. I show that both sentence topics and contrastively focused constituents
must not be inside IP, which is identified as the comment domain. I further argue that subjects
outside IP must be wa-marked unless contrastively focused. I conclude that syntactic structure is
discourse-configurationally based.
To conclude, I discuss the architecture of the grammar that emerges from the proposal
defended in each chapter of this dissertation. / Arts, Faculty of / Linguistics, Department of / Graduate
|
14 |
Mixed categories in JapaneseHoriuchi, Hitoshi 28 August 2008 (has links)
Not available / text
|
15 |
Transformational Montague grammatical studies of JapaneseSugimoto, Takashi January 1982 (has links)
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1982. / Bibliography: leaves 518-524. / Microfiche. / xiii, 524 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm
|
16 |
Against a subjacency account of movement and empty categories in JapaneseIzutani, Matazo January 1995 (has links)
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 273-280). / Microfiche. / xiii, 280 leaves, bound 29 cm
|
Page generated in 0.5265 seconds