On The Causative Construction

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article demonstrates that the analysis of the affixal Japanese causative morpheme -(s)ase requires an explicit treatment of the morphology-syntax interface, because it exhibits syntactic characteristics typical of both monoclausal and biclausal constructions, despite forming a single phonological word in combination with the verb stem to which it attaches. It concentrates on the importance for linguistic theory of a single problem posed by the construction: In what component of the grammar are the various causatives constructed? The article then explores the implications for linguistic theory. It also describes how independently motivated theoretical proposals in distinct domains of research turn out to naturally provide a unified account of lexical and syntactic Japanese causatives. The analysis in general can be taken as additional evidence for the phasal status of vP, and for successive-cyclic QR through vP, among other things.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Japanese Linguistics
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN (Electronic)9780199940455
ISBN (Print)9780195307344
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 18 2012

Keywords

  • Causative construction
  • Japanese causative morpheme
  • Linguistic theory
  • Morphology
  • Phonological word
  • Syntax
  • Verb

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities(all)
  • Social Sciences(all)

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