<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This paper discusses the syntactic and semantic properties of the two functions of the post-verbal <italic>can1</italic> in Cantonese. The first function of the post-verbal <italic>can1</italic> is a non-specific resultative particle that denotes any degree on a “bodily harm” scale. The non-specific nature of <italic>can1</italic> ensures that the scale is always a simplex scale (containing only a beginning and an end) and thus [V-<italic>can1</italic>] predicates behave like achievement verbs. The second function of the post-verbal <italic>can1</italic> is a free choice item (FCI). It appears only in non-episodic sentences, specifically in <italic>dou1</italic> (iota operator)-conditionals or <italic>zau6</italic> (necessity operator)-conditionals.</p></abstract>

This paper discusses the syntactic and semantic properties of the two functions of the post-verbal can1 in Cantonese. The first function of the post-verbal can1 is a non-specific resultative particle that denotes any degree on a “bodily harm” scale. The non-specific nature of can1 ensures that the scale is always a simplex scale (containing only a beginning and an end) and thus [V-can1] predicates behave like achievement verbs. The second function of the post-verbal can1 is a free choice item (FCI). It appears only in non-episodic sentences, specifically in dou1 (iota operator)-conditionals or zau6 (necessity operator)-conditionals.

The Dual Identity of the Post-Verbal <italic>Can1</italic> in Cantonese: A Non-Specific Resultative Particle and a Free Choice Item

Studies in Chinese Linguistics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Dual Identity of the Post-Verbal  in Cantonese: A Non-Specific Resultative Particle and a Free Choice Item

This paper discusses the syntactic and semantic properties of the two functions of the post-verbal can1 in Cantonese. The first function of the post-verbal...

The Dual Identity of the Post-Verbal Can1 in Cantonese: A Non-Specific Resultative Particle and a Free Choice Item

Publié en ligne: 31 déc. 2020

Pages: 139 - 159

Reçu: 20 janv. 2020

Accepté: 05 juin 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scl-2020-0005

Mots clés
Cantonese, resultative particle, scale, free choice item

© 2020 Joanna Ut-Seong Sio, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The Dual Identity of the Post-Verbal Can1 in Cantonese: A Non-Specific Resultative Particle and a Free Choice Item

Publié en ligne: 31 déc. 2020

Pages: 139 - 159

Reçu: 20 janv. 2020

Accepté: 05 juin 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scl-2020-0005

Mots clésCantonese, resultative particle, scale, free choice item

© 2020 Joanna Ut-Seong Sio, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Mots clés
Cantonese, resultative particle, scale, free choice item