The anatomy of Chinese Superlative Modifiers

Abstract This paper studies the morpho-semantics of a particular class scalar focus adverbs called Superlative Modifiers (SMs). One key feature these is that they bear degree morphology, along with gradable adjectives involved. Most analyses SMs in market do not take into consideration semantic contributions their morphology. However, cross-linguistic facts strongly suggest morphological makeup cannot simply be linguistic coincidence. Thus, have posed long-standing and intriguing morpho-semantic puzzle: Why morphologically involve quantity adjective (Q-adjective) superlative morpheme? What role Q-adjectives morpheme inside SMs? How are pieces connected semantics? dedicated to questions by focusing on two expressions Mandarin SMs, zui-duo zui-shao (which consist only zui duo ‘many/much’ or shao ‘few/little’), presents decompositional analysis both as modified superlatives. If proposed right track, it shows insights tools developed gradability ( Kennedy 1999 ) can applied those scalarity. Recently, Greenberg 2016 ; 2017 has argued for gradability-based semantics English even . contributes this growing research agenda, through detailed case study but bearing morphology adjectives. Moreover, also deepens our understanding Q-adjectives. By studying measured domain need structured part-of relation, rather natural ordering relevant domain. Crucially, updated view Wellwood’s 2014 2015 leads us differential uses ultimately unified account