Semantiac and Pragmatic Study on Referential/Non-referential Noun Phrases

我们对流行句中主语NP和谓语NP的语义特性进行了不同的考虑。NPIV（包含变量的NP）的概念对于解释NP在指称性方面表现出的模糊性是必不可少的。利用这一概念可以得出以下有益的结论：(1)在形式为“A wa B da”的特定句子中，NP “A”是一个NPIV，而不是一个指称NP。因此，NP不能作为句子的主题，句子本身也不能被恰当地称为主题句，这与人们普遍持有的观点相反。（Cf.Nishiyama 2000）(2)理解“说话者所知道的语法”这一表达的模糊性有助于解决围绕着什么是说话者语法身份这一有争议的问题的困惑。（c . nishiyama, 1998）(3)与英语倒装句相比，“Tokuni ossusumenano ga kono menyuu desu”这类“A ga B da”句明显具有表征功能，与识别功能和说明功能截然不同。这类句子中的A既不描述B的特征，也不包含变量。（Cf.Kumamoto 2000）我们还根据给定句子中主语位置和谓语位置的成分实际执行的语义功能证明了该方法的意义。具体来说，我们证明了以下几点：(4)不仅np和ap具有谓语功能，而且pp也具有谓语功能，这得到了跨语言数据的支持。（Cf.Koya 1998,）(5)仅根据词序或定不定区分等形式方面来分析流行句有其局限性。(Cf.Kumamoto 1998)

We have given various considerations to semantic properties of the subject NP and the predicate NP in copular sentences. The notion of NPIV (NP involving a variable) is essential for the explanation of ambiguity an NP shows with respect to referentiality. This notion has been profitably employed to make the following findings :(1) The NP "A" in a specificational sentence of the form "A wa B da" is an NPIV and not a referential NP.The NP, therefore, cannot stand as the topic of the sentence, nor can the sentence itself be properly called a topic sentence, contrary to a widely held opinion. (Cf.Nishiyama 2000)(2) To understand the ambiguity of the expression "the grammar that a speaker knows" helps to resolve the confusion surrounding the controversial question of what is the identity of a speaker's grammar. (Cf.Nishiyama 1998)(3) When compared with English inverted sentences, it becomes clear that one type of "A ga B da" sentence exemplified by "Tokuni osusumenano ga kono menyuu desu" serves a presentational function, which is quite distinct from either the function of identification or that of specification. A in this type of sentence does not describe the characteristics of B nor does it contain a variable. (Cf.Kumamoto 2000)We have also shown the significance of the approach based on the semantic functions actually performed by the constituents in the subject position and the predicate position in a given sentence. Specifically, we have proved the following :(4) Not only NPs and APs but also PPs function as predicatives, which is supported by cross language data. (Cf.Koya 1998, )(5) Analysis of copular sentences based solely on formal aspects such as word order or definite-indefinite distinction has its limitations. (Cf.Kumamoto 1998)