Aspectual features of the verb and the relative position of the locatives
动词体特征及方位词的相应位置
Chung-yu Chen 陈重瑜

Abstract 摘要
Preverbal and postverbal locatives can be reduced to the same underlying structure provided semantic features of the verb are allowed to enter into the formulation of transformational rules. Both locatives modify verbs. Immediately preceding a verb, zài is an imperfective aspect marker. In the absence of an aspectual suffix of the verb or any auxiliary element indicating futurity, zài in a preverbal locative is both an imperfective marker and a preposition in the place adverbial. Consequently, such a structure is compatible only with verbs denoting durative or repetitive, active actions. When a verb suffix or an auxiliary is present, zài in a preverbal locative is a pure preposition. A terminal aspect marker ø, which triggers the postposition of the locative, is identified. A postverbal locative thus denotes the location of the static state of affairs at the termination of an abrupt action or instantaneous transition, or the termination of an inceptive motion which results in a static position of the actor (e.g. tǎng ‘lie’) or the mere presence of the recipient (e.g. guà ‘hang’).