Bei and Bei Passives

Abstract

The thesis is a generative study of the categorial status of bei in Standard Chinese and the derivation of its related passive structures. It first covers the fundamentals of Chinese grammar and provides an overview of previous research on bei and bei passives. This enables the reader to develop a preliminary understanding of this passive structure and empowers them to form their own judgments. By taking a progressive view of language competence and drawing upon insights from different theoretical frameworks of generative grammar, the thesis aims to provide an explanation for a dynamic view of the categorial status of bei and how it can function as a lexical verb, a functional verb, or a preposition under different circumstances. In the context of grammaticalisation as a result of competence development, this study diverges from prior research primarily in the proposition of the categorial status of bei being subject to conditioned computation. Such an approach is expected to shine new light on our understanding of bei and somehow unify the analysis of the derivation of bei passives featuring such issues as the chameleonic character showcasing both control and raising hues, the mono- or bi-clausal controversy, the difference between long and short bei passives, etc.