Abstract
This paper proposes an analysis of telicity in motion predicates within the framework of the Exo-Skeletal Model (Borer 2005b). We hypothesize that a motion event is syntactically represented by a Path component, the core of which is a vP that introduces a Figure argument. This Path component is interpreted as quantity in the sense of Borer (2005b) when there is a certain type of morpheme present in the structure, such as a verb that denotes the reaching of an endpoint. A quantity Path component can then assign a semantic value to a functional projection called AspQP, which returns a telic interpretation. Data from Mandarin, Ghanaian Student Pidgin, and Southern Tati show AspQP can be assigned a value either with or without overt head movement. We further propose a distinction between Path and direction, which explains data that were left unexplained in previous studies and seemingly contradict our claim.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 900-956 |
Number of pages | 57 |
Journal | Studies in Language |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 22 Sep 2023 |
Keywords
- Ghanaian Student Pidgin
- Mandarin
- Tati
- cross-linguistic
- motion events
- motion predicates
- telicity