On the modifying negative WHAT in Chinese
Abstract
Abstract This chapter explores the grammatical properties and functions of the modifying negative WHAT in Chinese, proposing an adjunction approach. It argues that the modifying negative WHAT acts as a modifier adjoined to nominal phrases, which should be distinguished from the postverbal negative WHAT, with the former functioning through syntactic adjunction and the latter as a morphological suffix. It also emphasizes the necessity of a negative force head at the sentence periphery and illustrates the multifunctionality of Chinese wh -words as polarity items, licensed by this force projection.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Syntax
Semantics
Linguistic Variation
Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
Language Development and Disorders
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Linguistik aktuell
- Pages
- 281–302
- Publication date
- 15 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter