Accomplishment Predicates in Mandarin and Their Lexical Semantics

Abstract

This paper discusses the lexical semantics of Mandarin accomplishment predicates, which are known as allowing both culminating reading and non-culminating reading. We will firstly point out the limits of previous studies on the semantics of Mandarin accomplishments. Then we will categorise accomplishments into three groups on the basis of the endpoints that they encode and provide a modal base analysis for their semantics. Next, we will propose one pragmatic constraint to which accomplishments are subject when they allow non-culminating reading. Lastly, we will argue for the necessity of distinguishing different types of endpoints that contribute to the telicity of accomplishment predicates.