英语中动结构的混合式移位分析

An A&A’-Movement Analysis of the English Middle Construction

论元移位分析无法有效地阐释英语中动句独特的句法语义特点。基于语段中心语C向句子中心语T存在多种特征传递方式的可能性,本研究提供了一种混合式移位分析,简洁而全面地解释了中动结构的语法属性。具体而言,支撑中动结构的功能范畴不是时制中心语Tense,而是情态范畴Mod。因为Mod缺乏时制特征,不能作为时间算子约束中动谓语中的事件论元,使得中动句整体上只能获得非事件义的解读。中动句主语是与致使性轻动词v直接合并的外论元cause,在后续运算中移位至主语specM od位置。由于语段中心语C将话题性特征与一致性特征同时捐赠给M od,相关的名词短语移位同时核查了两种特征,是一种混合式移位,导致中动句主语和话题在结构上的重叠。

The A-Movement analysis of the English middle construction leaves the oblique middles untouched and fails to explain the unique syntactic and semantic properties of middle clauses. Under the assumption that the Mod INFL heads the middle structure,we advocate an A&A’-movement analysis of the middle construction. Specifically,we propose that the seemingly patient and adjunct subject of a middle clause is actually the external argument of cause licensed by the causative light verb. And the relevant NP-movement from spec-v to spec-Mod is a mixture of Amovement and A’-movement in that C might DONATE both [TOP]feature and phi-features to the tense-defective Mod. This A&A’-movement analysis provides a package account for the syntax and semantics of the English middle construction and naturally explains the paradox of eventive middle predicates and non-eventive middle clauses.