LINGUIST List 9.1265

Mon Sep 14 1998

Qs: Negative complementizers, Metaphor in Chinese

Editor for this issue: Brett Churchill <brettlinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. Asya Pereltsvaig, Qs: negative complementizers
2. Susan Menke, Metaphor in Chinese language

Dear Linguists,
Does anyone know of languages that have negative complementizers? By
negative complementizers I mesan one of two things:
1) a complementizer that contains a negative element, like English
'unless' (= if not), 'lest' (=so that not)
or
2) a complementizer that is selected by an "inherently negative" verb,
like 'enik' in Basque (according to Laka's (1990) dissertation)
Any information is greatly appreciated. I will post a summary.

*********************************
Asya Pereltsvaig
Department of Linguistics - McGill University
1001 Sherbrooke St. West
Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G5, CANADA

In reference to a query posted by Chang-Bong Lee on this list a few weeks
ago, I am also very interested in any corresponding examples of "economic
idioms", but in Mandarin Chinese. I am currently researching the stock
market in Shanghai, including cultural or language specific idioms and
metaphors related to general economic behavior as well as specifically to
the stock market. Similar examples from other developing markets would also
be of use. Thanks for any and all input, I will certainly post the feedback
if there is sufficient interest.

Susan Menke
Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Anthropology
The Ohio State University
smenkeuninet.com.cn or
menke.9osu.edu
homepage: http://monkey.sbs.ohio-state.edu/smenke/home.htm