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Definiteness in Nuosu Yi and the theory of argument formation

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Abstract

This paper analyzes argument formation in Nuosu Yi, a language that is typologically unusual in having classifiers as well as a definite determiner. Also unusual is the fact that demonstratives do not combine directly with nouns in this language but require the mediation of classifiers. Properties such as these are shown to pose a challenge to current accounts of argument formation. The Neocarlsonian approach of Chierchia (Nat Lang Semant 6:339–405, 1998) explains the absence of definite articles in classifier languages as resulting from considerations of economy. If nouns in classifier languages are names of kinds, they can occur directly as arguments of verbs, thereby obviating the need for extra structure to host a determiner. The data from Nuosu Yi alters the empirical generalization and calls for a modification of the explanation. The specific account of Nuosu Yi that is presented bears on current discussions about the nature of argument formation. Must arguments necessarily occur with overt or covert determiners or is it possible for languages to differ in this respect? Must bare nominal arguments necessarily denote kinds or can they denote properties? In this sense, the discovery of a new type of classifier language contributes to a theory of language variation and argument formation in general.

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful for helpful comments and extensive discussion to Gennaro Chierchia, Veneeta Dayal, Amy Rose Deal, Kamil Deen, Shinichiro Fukuda, Suhua Hu, Andreea Nicolae, Hazel Pearson and Gregory Scontras, as well as to the anonymous L&P reviewers. I also would like to express my thanks to James Huang, Audrey Li, Andrew Simpson, Hsin-I Hsieh, audiences at the Syntax Supper at CUNY, the Linguistics Colloquium at University of Chicago, and the Linguistics Tuesday Seminar at UHM, and participants of the Syntax-Semantics Interface Seminar at Harvard (Fall 2011) and the Seminar on Topics in East Asian Syntax and Semantics at Harvard-MIT (Fall 2012) for valuable comments and suggestions. Thanks also to Wuniu Mahai and Muji Wuni for their help with Nuosu Yi. I am solely responsible for all the remaining errors and inadequacies.

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  1. Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Moore Hall 359, 1890 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Li Julie Jiang

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Jiang, L.J. Definiteness in Nuosu Yi and the theory of argument formation. Linguist and Philos 41, 1–39 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10988-017-9219-6

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