Why The Blocking Effect?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION This chapter discusses the blocking effect observed in long-distance (LD) bound bare reflexive ziji in Mandarin Chinese. Unlike the symmetrical unlikeperson blocking claimed in the literature (Huang & Tang 1991, Xue, Pollard, and Sag 1994), this chapter argues that (a) the blocking effect of ziji is not symmetrical: first and second person pronouns can block third person noun phrases (NP) from long distance binding ziji, though third person NPs do not necessarily block first or second person pronouns from long distance binding ziji; and (b) other grammatical functions filled by first and second person pronouns, not just subjects or NPs contained in the subject, can induce the blocking effect. The chapter claims that long distance bound ziji points to the carrier of belief, and reconstructs this notion as self-ascription. The blocking effect is explained by appealing to the fact that on

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