"Object raising" (宾语提升 bīnyǔ tíshēng) in Chinese grammar, especially in the context of generative linguistics, refers to a phenomenon where an object of an embedded clause appears in a higher, matrix clause position. This can be a complex topic, as linguists debate the exact mechanisms and types of "raising" that occur in Chinese.
Let's break down the core ideas:
What is "Raising" in General Linguistics?
In linguistics, "raising" refers to a syntactic process where a constituent (like a noun phrase, NP) moves from a lower clause (embedded clause) to a higher clause (matrix clause) while still retaining its original thematic role (who did what to whom) in the lower clause.
There are generally two main types:
Subject-to-Subject Raising: An embedded subject moves to the matrix subject position. (e.g., He seems [t to be happy])
Subject-to-Object Raising (or Object-to-Object Raising): An embedded subject (or object) moves to the matrix object position. (e.g., I believe [him to be intelligent])
Object Raising in Chinese: The Nuances
Chinese grammar, being quite different from English (e.g., no overt case marking), presents unique challenges and interpretations for "raising." While subject raising (especially with modal verbs like hui 会 'will' or epistemic modals like keneng 可能 'be likely to') is more commonly discussed, object raising also occurs, though often debated as a form of topicalization (A'-movement) rather than pure A-movement (argument movement) driven by case-checking like in some other languages.
Here are some key contexts where "object raising" might be observed or discussed in Chinese:
1. Topicalization (A'-movement)
This is perhaps the most common way to describe what appears to be "object raising" in Chinese. An object from an embedded clause moves to a higher position, often to the beginning of the sentence, to serve as a topic. This movement is typically optional and driven by discourse factors (what the speaker wants to focus on or introduce as the main point).
Example:
Original (embedded object in situ):
我 认为 他 会 买 那本书。
Wǒ rènwéi tā huì mǎi nà běn shū.
I think he will buy that CL book.
"I think he will buy that book."
Object as topic (appears "raised"):
那本书， 我 认为 他 会 买。
Nà běn shū, wǒ rènwéi tā huì mǎi.
That CL book, I think he will buy.
"That book, I think he will buy." (Here, "那本书" is topicalized)
In this case, "那本书" is still semantically the object of "买" (buy), but it has moved to the front of the main clause to establish itself as the topic of discussion. Linguists often analyze this as A'-movement, meaning it moves to a non-argument position.
2. Possessor Raising (Possessor Stranding)
This is a more specific type of "raising" where a possessor NP (like "Zhangsan" in "Zhangsan's leg") is separated from the possessed NP and appears in a higher position. This often occurs in constructions describing body parts or in certain adversity/beneficiary contexts.
Example (simplified):
Original (possessor within NP):
他的 腿 断了。
Tā de tuǐ duàn le.
His DE leg broke LE.
"His leg broke."
Possessor "raised":
他 腿 断了。
Tā tuǐ duàn le.
He leg broke LE.
"He broke his leg." (Literally something like "He, leg broke," where 'he' is understood as the possessor of the leg, but has moved to the subject position of the main clause, seemingly "raising" out of the possessive phrase.)
This phenomenon is complex and debated, with some analyses suggesting a "low applicative" head or other syntactic mechanisms are involved rather than a direct "raising" in the traditional sense of A-movement.
3. Raising with Epistemic Modals
Some analyses propose that "object raising" can occur with certain epistemic modal verbs (verbs that express possibility or likelihood, like yinggai 应该 'should/ought to' or keneng 可能 'may/might').
Example (from linguistic literature):
Original:
应该 [张三 准备 晚餐]
Yīnggāi [Zhāngsān zhǔnbèi wǎncān]
Should [Zhangsan prepare dinner]
"It should be the case that Zhangsan prepares dinner."
"Object raised":
晚餐 应该 [张三 准备]
Wǎncān yīnggāi [Zhāngsān zhǔnbèi]
Dinner should [Zhangsan prepare]
"It should be the case that dinner is prepared by Zhangsan." (Lit: "Dinner, should Zhangsan prepare.")
This particular example is contentious in linguistics because it seems to violate the "Minimal Link Condition" (MLC), which typically prevents an object from moving past a closer subject. Some analyses suggest this is indeed A-movement (argument movement) and offer complex explanations involving feature inheritance or phase theory, while others maintain it's still a form of A'-movement (topicalization or focus movement).
Key Takeaways
"Object raising" in Chinese is often synonymous with topicalization. The object moves to a pre-verbal or sentence-initial position for discourse reasons, not primarily for case-checking.
The notion of "raising" in Chinese is heavily debated within theoretical linguistics, especially concerning whether it constitutes A-movement (argument movement) or A'-movement (non-argument movement like topicalization or focalization).
Chinese lacks overt case marking, which complicates direct comparisons with languages like English where case is a strong motivator for raising.
Possessor raising is a distinct phenomenon where a possessor NP appears to move out of its nominal phrase.
In a practical sense for a learner of Chinese, understanding topicalization (the ability to front objects for emphasis or theme) is more immediately useful than the highly theoretical debate on "object raising" as A-movement vs. A'-movement. However, knowing that linguists discuss "object raising" means recognizing that objects can indeed appear in unexpected, higher positions in Chinese sentences.
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