To mark or not to mark: Just how similar are Chinese dialects in this regard?

Darcy Sperlich, Robert Sanders

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This is an experimental study of the frequency of formal passive and disposal marking in five Chinese dialects - Beijing Mandarin, Taipei Mandarin, Guangzhou Vue, Shanghai Wu and Taiwan Southern Min. Using oral stories and oral responses, we observe whether usage frequency is dialect-specific or is relatively uniform throughout. The results provide a rather nuanced view of 'Pan-Chinese' grammar, i.e. the usual distinction of Northern vs. Southern dialects is not fully predictive of the relative frequency at which the passive and disposal functions are formally marked.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)287-340
Number of pages54
JournalCahiers de Linguistique d'Asie Orientale
Volume41
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chinese dialects
  • disposal
  • frequency
  • passive

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