2014-2015 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Cheung, CCH

Larson, RK

Psych verb constructions show peculiar properties. They appear to project the same £c-relations into inverse configurations (John fears sharks/Sharks frighten John). Furthermore, Experiencer Object psych verb constructions admit backward binding in apparent violation of familiar c-command conditions (Pictures of himself anger John). We offer a solution to both puzzles drawing crucially on data from English and Mandarin. We argue that apparent £c-role inversion is an illusion, and that Experiencer Subject psych verb constructions like John fears sharks are not in fact simple transitive constructions but instead involve a concealed clause with a silent predicate (John fears [cpsharks PRED]). Regarding backward binding, we argue for an updated version of Belletti and Rizzi¡¦s (1988) analysis of Experiencer Object psych verbs in which the putative Theme is a Source that is underlyingly c-commanded by the Experiencer.Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studie

Psych verbs in English and Mandarin

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