• Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.331-347
• /
• 2001

In this study I investigate two implicit arguments in English middles: discharged argument and event argument. I argue that in middle formation external argument is discharged and event argument is suppressed. The proposal can account for the problems with the previous studies (Williams 1981; Keyser and Reoper 1984: Roberts 1987: Fagan 1988, 1992: Chung 2000). When a middle derives from the corresponding transitive verb, the subject argument is discharged, being an implicit argument. Argument discharge is different from argument suppression in the passives and argument deletion in the ergatives. I also argue that event argument is suppressed in middle formation. Event argument suppression is supported by the following: (i) The transitive verbs are always eventive but the corresponding middles are stative, and (ii) the middles are underlyingly eventive, (iii) the middles are “adorned” by certain manner adverbials.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.9-24
• /
• 2000

This paper analyzes the distribution and classification of unrealized arguments of a predicate often called zero pronouns. in spoken Korean. Based on the transcript of a one-hour-Iong dialogue. recorded from public radio stations. I present the statistical data on argument ellipsis in Korean with respect to the frequency of zero ronouns as well as the nature of their antecedents. I go further to review some of the previous efforts to identify the discourse- theoretic functions of zero-pronouns in the framework of Centering Theory. and propose that the zero-pronouns in spoken Korean be divided into center-insensitive vs. center-sensitive classes. I also point out a couple of language-particular idiosyncrasies found in Korean, such as morpho-syntactic elements and encyclopaedic knowledge. that interact with center management in on-going discourse and often lead to difficulties in applying the centering rules and constraints to Korean.