A Typologically-Oriented Classification of Topic Constructions in Chinese

This article classifies Chinese topic constructions in a more fine-grained way, based on new insights concerning relevant theoretical controversies.First, it looks at left-peripheral topic constructions, which comprise topicalization, left dislocation, Chinese-style and argument-splitting topic structures.It is shown that there can also be co-reference between left-dislocated topics and possessive modifiers within adjuncts and between Chinese-style topics and hidden contents in comments.In addition, it is demonstrated that argument-splitting topics are able to combine with formal subjects or objects if they are placed there.Next, mirror images of the four types of left-peripheral topic construction are shown to constitute right-peripheral topic constructions.Crucially, it is then argued that centrally-positioned topics include various types like patient-type, copying-type, splitting-type and adverbial-type.Moreover, a left-peripheral or centrally-positioned topic construction can also be embedded in the comment of another left-or right-peripheral topic construction.At the same time, it is possible that both left and right peripheries can hold more than one topic.Finally, it is shown that within comments, form-meaning mismatches might occur as regards subject-predicate structures, which yields many more types of topic construction.Arguably then, the typology of topic constructions in Chinese far exceeds the options that exist in English.In this respect, the prominence and intricacy of Chinese topic constructions represents a significant difference between Chinese and English syntax.