Based on Hsieh's theory, this paper studies the historical aspect of verb copying in Chinese. Discussed are the theory of interaction, contemporary structure of a grammar, function and structure of verb copying, and analogy as both a type of interaction and a mechanism for creating various patterns of verb copying. (37 references) (LB)

Modal verbs in Chinese are characterized in terms of internal and external modality; the former defines a state a noun is in or a quality a noun has while the latter defines a circumstantial factor that affects an event. Modal verbs and their compounds are contrasted in Mandarin and Amoy dialects. (Author/PJM)

Demonstrates that structure and interpretation of Resultative Verb Compound (RVC) in the field of Chinese linguistics is neither indiosyncratic nor pragmatically determined as suggested in an earlier study. Rather, RCV formation and interpretation is determined by semantic features of verbs, and these features determine the well-formedness and…

Divides Taiwanese modals into: (1) authority, where a deep structure agent exercises authority; (2) contigency, which concerns the speaker's judgment of the possibility or logical necessity df the occurrence of an event; and (3) volition, which expresses the subject's desires. The constructions in which these modals appear are examined. (PJM)

"Bu" can negate noun phrases. This article attempts to determine what the parent structures are from which noun-bu-noun is derived, to describe the general property of N-bu-N, to examine the conditions under which N-bu-N is used, and to contrast it with other structures of similar usage. (Author/PJM)

Culturally specific compounds in Chinese could be more effectively studied from a cognitive approach, using the underlying idealized cognitive models defined by Lakoff. It is argued that the formation of Chinese compounds are systematically guided by idealized cognitive models and compounds are semantically compositional. (seven references) (LB)

DeFrancis' recent essay on the development and status of Hanyu Pinyin, "The Why of Pinyin Grapheme Selection," is critiqued, particularly his account of how the Hanyu Pinyin transcription was developed and the argument that it is not only rational but effectively permanent. (LB)

Explores the role of negative marking in the mapping of the semantic and syntactic structures of Taiwanese modals on to their surface structure in terms of syntactic transformations. Particular attention is paid to the process of lexical fusion as it occurs in such negative forms as "be" and "m." (Author/PJM)

In a discussion of grammatical identity of a Chinese word, the following topics are covered: word identification, word constituents, word properties, intraword structures, and interword constraints. (20 references) (LB)

The process of pragmaticization is explored in a study of 46 adult English speakers learning Chinese as their second language. Results suggest that "ba" constructions that manifest certain grammatical features and are structurally dependent will be acquired earlier than those pragmatically controlled and contextually dependent. (12 references) (LB)

Discusses Tone sandhi, the tone changes undergone by tone-bearing syllables in juxtaposition, in several Chinese dialects. The tone group is examined as a syntatico-semantic unit in Fuzhou and Mandarin and as a syntactic boundary-marker in Shanghai and Xiamen. The theoretical and pedagogical implications are discussed. (20 references) (JL)

Provides an analysis, based on theory-independent structural information, of the structure of postadverbials associated with the Mandarin morpheme "de," arguing that "de" does not stand for a unique morpheme, but for three homophonous ones. (24 references) (CB)

The function of word order is examined in light of interference in the learning of English discourse by Chinese speakers and vice versa. Emphasis on different devices in coding discourse functions is shown to be reflected in interference between the two languages. (13 references) (LB)

Li's work, which expands the government binding (GB) literature on Chinese linguistics and contributes to understanding constituency and word order, is described. Important issues are noted, empirical or theory-neutral criticisms of Li's accounts are raised, and alternative solutions are offered. (21 references) (LB)