Split Measure Phrases and Communication Strategies

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the syntactic and

semantic properties of split classifier phrases (ClPs) and

amount phrases (AmPs) constructions in Korean as a

source of communication strategy of Korean learners of

English. Syntactically both ClPs and AmPs can be

separated from their host noun. Semantically, they are

subject to the monotonicity constraint. However, the

relationship between a ClP and its host noun is different

from the relationship between an AmP and its host noun.

The choice of a ClP is dependant on its host noun, while

the choice of an AmP is determined by semantic

compatibility. This difference has some impact in the

syntax in terms of case morphology. In passives and

unaccusatives, AmPs can bear either nominative or

accusative case morphology, while ClPs must bear

nominative case morphology. These split ClP and AmP

structures are frequently employed by Korean learners of

English. By using them, Korean learners of English

achieve the goal of communication. Since this type of transferring a particular structure as a source of a

communication strategy is likely to be overlooked, more

attention should be given to the syntactic and semantic

properties of that structure used by Korean learners of

English.