Korean reformulative multiple accusative construction as vacuous reformulative apposition

Korean reformulative multiple accusative construction as vacuous reformulative apposition

This paper explores one type of Multiple Accusative Construction (MAC), namely “reformulative” MACs (previously referred to as “topic-type” MACs) (e.g., Mimi-ka kwail-ul sakwa-lul cohaha-n-ta), where the second accusative-marked NP (e.g., sakwa-lul) specifies a value for the variable introduced by the first accusative-marked NP (e.g., kwail-ul). In doing so, the paper first reviews two previous analyses: one proposed by Chae and Kim (2008) and the other by Kim (2006, 2010). Chae and Kim try to account for the formation of (reformulative-)MACs by appealing to a construction-specific rule (Recursive Rule) in the HPSG framework. Kim, on the other hand, takes the construction to be derived via PF-ellipsis in an underlying sentential structure. The previous analyses, however, encounter some empirical problems. This paper, therefore, offers an alternative perspective by treating reformulative MACs on a par with vacuous reformulative appositions in English (e.g., Kim likes fruit ─ likes apples) which are analyzed as involving coordinative syntax according to Griffiths (2015). Specifically, the paper proposes to analyze reformulative MACs as involving a coordinate VP structure created by overt across-the-board movement of a main verb. This coordination analysis, without positing any construction-specific rule or ellipsis, provides a streamlined way of accounting for general as well as idiosyncratic aspects of reformulative MACs.