Linking constructions in Mayrinax Atayal

Abstract

This study investigated and examined linking constructions in Mayrinax Atayal. Although in the literature, linkers are categorized as either complementizers or aspectual heads, their syntactic behaviors and statuses have not been fully probed and analyzed. From minimalist and cartographic viewpoints, this paper will divide Mayrinax linking constructions into three classes with respect to their distribution, function, and representation. There is a complex selectional relationship among matrix predicates, linkers, and complements. The obligatory selectional restrictions imposed by matrix predicates determine the diverse structures of complements and the syntactic statuses or features of linkers. High-order evaluative verbs and factive cognition verbs c-select finite island complements headed by high linkers, which are weak finite complementizers that do not allow extractions. Utterance verbs, cognition verbs, and evidential/epistemic modals c-select normal finite complements headed by mid linkers, which are strong finite complementizers that allow extractions. Low-linking constructions are further divided into three categories. The deontic modal c-selects a non-finite AspP introduced by a type A low linker, which occupies the aspectual head position. Tough/middle evaluatives and object control verbs c-select a non-finite CP introduced by a type B low linker, which surfaces as a strong non-finite complementizer. Low adverbial verbs, subject control verbs, and resultative action verbs c-select a non-phase intransitive vP introduced by a type C low linker, which is realized as a vP-layer complementizer. The linker cartography is a reflection of the predicate hierarchy, which has been established and verified by a huge number of languages. The findings from this study will shed light on understanding phase theory and cartographic syntax in Formosan languages.