Predicate transfer as conceptual inference: The case of possessum-object constructions
述谓延伸的概念推理分析: 以属格作宾结构为例
Ren Zhang 张韧

Abstract 摘要
This paper focuses on the argument structure properties of Possessum-object constructions in Chinese, as illustrated in Xiao3wang2 si3le fu4qin ‘Xiaowang dieLE father’ (Xiaowang had his father die on him). Three issues are discussed from the perspective of conceptual structure and semantic unification within the framework of Conceptual Semantics (e.g. Jackendoff 1990, 2000), drawing on Nunberg’s (1995) work on predicate transfer. First, the systematic relation between such constructions and their alternants such as Xiao3wang2 de fu4qin si3le (Xiaowang’s father died) is argued to be better captured by conceptual inference rules, rather than syntactic derivations. Second, the possessive relation between Xiao3wang2 and fu4qin ‘father’ is encoded as a conceptual binding relation within conceptual structure representations. Third, the predicate expression in such examples must designate a Property-based State or an inchoative Event, in order to be compatible with the conceptual structure of the construction as a whole. This need is facilitated by the particles le and guo, which serve to adjust the lexical conceptual structures of verbs. In addition, the NP within the predicate of the construction must show some functional need (Pustejovksy 2001), which accounts for directionality restrictions on predicate transfer (*zhe4wei4 fu4qin si3le Xiao3wang2/hai2zi ‘this father dieLE Xiaowang/child’ (This father had Xiaowang/the child die on him.)).

本文从概念语义学 (Jackendoff 1990, 2000) 的角度发展 Nunberg (1995) 的述谓延伸理论，在此基础上研究属格作宾结构（如：小王死了父亲）的论元结构。作者提出这一结构与其变体（如：小王的父亲死了）的关系应由概念推理规则处理，而非句法转换操作。结构所含的所属关系是一种概念约束关系。结构的谓词须表达一状态或状态的变化，并含一特征 (Property)，以便与结构的总体意义一致。这一要求通过‘了’和‘过’对动词概念结构的调整而得到满足。述谓中的名词短语含某种功能需要，不具指称独立性，这解释了述谓延伸的方向性限制，如不能说，*这位父亲死了小王/孩子。

Subject Keywords 关键词

Possessum-object construction 属格作宾结构 Conceptual semantics 概念语义学 Predicate transfer 述谓延伸

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