生成语法中的四种空语类

On the Four Kinds of Empty Category in Generative Grammar

空语类是生成语法中的一个重要概念。研究表明,空语类的存在具有心理现实性,因而可以认为它们是心智内在的反映,深入了解其性质可以揭示语言的语义表征和句法结构的特点。到目前为止,原则与参数理论区分了四种空语类,分别是NP语迹、wh语迹(或者"变项")、PRO和pro。探索这四种空语类可以使语义、句法、心理方面的许多语言现象得以合理解释,有助于揭示并证明语言获得的内在本质,从而为普遍语法提供有力证据。

Empty Category is an important concept in Generative Grammar. So far, four categories have been distinguished, namely, NP-trace, wh-trace, PRO, and pro. It has been proven that the intro- duction of empty categories in syntactic analysis helps reveal the semantic and syntactic representations and hence reflect the innate nature of language acquisition.