两个系动词be还是一个系动词be——从生成语法的角度浅析英语系动词be

Two 'BE' or not Two 'BE'——The analysis of the copula be from the perspective of generative grammar

"两个系动词be"之说认为系动词be在等值句中与述谓句中有不同的特点,在等值句中是一个真正的及物动词,赋两个题元角色。文章从理论和经验方面进行分析,证明了这种说法是不充分不恰当的。文章认为,在英语中系动词be只有一个,是一个功能性成分,其没有语义内容。从生成语法的角度分析,系动词be具备提升动词(raising verb)的特点,而等值句和述谓句中的系动词be都符合这种特点。

＂two＇be＇＂ analysis claimed that be in identity eopular sentence is a true transitive lexieal verb, assigning two thetaroles, one to its subject and the other to object. This paper argues that riffs analysis is inadequate empirically and theoretically. The copula bes in identity copular sentences and in predicational copular sentences bear the stone characteristics. The copula be is a semantically null element, performing grammatical function. It can be considered as a raising verb, assigning no external theta - role or accusative case. And the two be in both the predicational and identity copular sentences bear the stone characteristic.