Dative Constructions in Chinese

Abstract

There are three dative constructions in Chinese. A verb may be present in just one, in two, or in all three constructions. A pattern can be captured in the constructional approach. While the constructions all carry a sense of transfer, they differ in terms of range of transfer and argument role of the dative object or the gei object. The constructional view also provides an account of the pattern of alternation by allowing various senses of transfer to be distinguished in terms of core vs. extended. A verb expressing a core meaning of transfer participates in the three-way alternation, while a verb with an extended meaning of transfer participates in the two-way alternation, and a verb with an even further extended meaning of transfer does not participate in any alternation.

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