A Typological Study of the Existential Clause

This book investigates the existential clause (EC) from a cross-linguistic perspective and within the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics. The prototypical EC in the less familiar languages is identified through its functional equivalents in the more familiar ones, which share the common semantic basis of 'there exists something in some location'. Topics addressed include the morpho-syntactic features of the EC, the subject of the EC, the definiteness effect and its manifestations in the EC, the EC as impersonals, the distinction between entity- vs. event-existentials, and the EC and its related constructions. Drawing on both cross-linguistic observations based on the language sample and in-depth investigations in particular languages (e.g., in Chinese and English), the study aims to unravel how the lexico-grammar of EC is related to its meanings and functions, that is, how meaning is realised in form. The title will appeal to scholars and students in the field of linguistics, especially functional linguistics, and syntax.

WANG Yong is Professor of Linguistics at Sun Yat-sen University, China. His research interests include functional linguistics, linguistic typology, discourse analysis, and Chinese grammar.

1. Introduction 2. Theoretical preliminaries 3. Towards a typology of the existential clause: Morpho-syntax 4. The subject of the EC 5. The definiteness effect 6. Entity- vs. event-existentials: A new typology 7. Event-existentials in Chinese 8. ECs as impersonals: A cross-linguistic perspective 9. Impersonal clauses as event-existentials in Chinese 10. Existential and possessive clauses 11. Conclusions