从英汉副词性状语的阻断效应看极近条件的性质

The nature of minimality condition:A comparative study of the blocking effects in English and Chinese adverb classes

关于疑问句中不同副词类别在移位过程中如何相互作用的问题,近年来在跨语言研究中重新受到重视,但汉语的相关研究却几近空白。在句法理论中,这一问题属于极近条件的研究领域。本文通过比较英汉副词性状语在阻断效应上的异同,提出差异的根源在于疑问词移位机制的不同:英语疑问词必须移位,所以相关成分是否具有移位潜力必然影响极近条件的运算;而汉语疑问词在造句中处于原位,无移位则不涉及移位潜力,自然不影响其运算。以此为基础,本文对极近条件进行了优化,提出该条件应该一分为二:1)移位只吸引距离最近的可移位成分;2)移位结果需经过筛选,核查是否存在因具备移位潜力而破坏语链的第三方成分。优化后的理论不仅可以涵盖副词及各类疑问词的移位现象,还可以解决英语和法语核心词移位中的难题。

Cross-linguistically, how adverbs of different classes interact in constituent-movement has recently attracted increasing attention with respect to the minimality condition(MC). This paper explores the similarities and differences between English and Chinese adverb classes in their blocking patterns in the context of wh-movement. We argue that the key difference results from the typological division of the two languages, that is, whether a wh-form undergoes movement. It moves in English, therefore making potential wh-movability a factor in calculating minimality, whereas it is wh-in-situ in Chinese. Without wh-movement, the potential wh-movability becomes irrelevant for minimality. The paper further argues that MC should be divided into two separate conditions: 1) Attract the closest attractable constituent to induce movement, and 2) Filter out the outcome of movement if there exists an intervening constituent C that is qualified typologically for potential movability. The revised version of the MC not only covers adverb and wh-movement of various kinds but also helps to answer certain controversial questions on head movement in English and French.