基于分布式形态学的英汉反身代词约束及限制条件再探

A reanalysis of the binding conditions and constraints of Chinese and English reflexives based on Distributed Morphology

本研究在分布式形态学的词库三列表基础上,结合英汉反身词根语素和定类语素的句法演进分析,提出英汉反身代词在语素构成上存在重要区别。英语反身代词如himself中的self是定类语素,必须及时合并,合并的前提是him的指称标定在最短结构距离内完成。汉语反身代词“自己”由代词定类语素定类,只需满足语义实现,而语义实现可以迟滞。“他自己”则有两种情形:出现在主语位上的复合反身短语和出现在宾语位上的复合反身代词,其中的“自己”是代词定类语素,遵循局域性限制。上述分析可以较好地解释英汉反身代词约束及限制条件的差异。

Based on the three lexicon lists proposed by Distributed Morphology and the grammaticalisation of lexical and functional morphemes,this study assumes that distinctions in morphological constitution exist between Chinese and English reflexives.In English,the reflexive self in"himself'is a functional morpheme and should be merged as soon as possible,while implementing the indexing of the reference of"him"within the shortest structural distance constitutes the precondition for this merge.In Chinese,ziji is a reflexive and can be categorised as a pronoun.Only the semantic realisation of indexing its reference must be satisfied,which can be delayed.Taziji can be either a reflexive phrase as a subject or a complex reflexive as an object,while ziji in taziji is a functional morpheme that ought to be bound locally.This reanalysis can better explain the differences between Chinese and English reflexive binding conditions and constraints.