University of Pennsylvania Working Papers in Linguistics
Article Title
Abstract
Two canonical negatives in Mandarin, mei and bu, display an asymmetry with respect to the presence of neg-raising inferences. In particular, mei prefers non-neg-raising readings, while bu, unless attaching to a functional category, is forced to be interpreted as neg-raising. This paper aims to explore an approach to address this asymmetry based on interactions between negation and aspect in both syntax and semantics. I argue that the asymmetry between mei and bu is resulted from their syntactic positions relative to aspect, and their licensing conditions especially selections of event variable binders.
Recommended Citation
Xiang, Yimei
(2013)
"Neg-raising and Aspect: Evidence from Mandarin,"
University of Pennsylvania Working Papers in Linguistics: Vol. 19:
Iss.
1, Article 29.
Available at:
https://repository.upenn.edu/pwpl/vol19/iss1/29