On Resultative Verb Compounds in Cantonese and Mandarin

Abstract

Abstract This paper conducts a comparative study on the resultative verb compounds (RVCs) in Cantonese and Mandarin with an aim to reveal and explain the rules governing the use of RVCs in Cantonese. Mandarin RVCs are classified into six types in terms of the number, the sequence, and the event role of the argument(s). While Mandarin RVCs are found to be rather productive in expressing resultatives, there are syntactic constraints imposed on the use of RVC construction in Cantonese. Given that Mandarin RVCs are often restricted in Cantonese, three substitutive constructions that are used to form resultatives have been introduced, namely V-dou3 constructions, V-dou3 in verb-copying construction, and causative construction formed with gaau2-dou3 ‘cause’. Factors that determine the corresponding structures used in Cantonese have been discussed. Claiming that the expressions of Cantonese resultatives should be highly associated with the event roles the involved NP arguments play, we demonstrate that such a classification of RVCs has contributed to the conclusion proposed in this paper. We also propose a set of linking rules which are designated for resultatives in Cantonese. It is hoped that this study sheds light on the syntax studies of Chinese.