V-gei vs. double object construction: The mental representation of the Mandarin V-gei construction

Abstract

The present study investigates whether V-gei constructions [V-gei NP NP] have the same underlying syntactic structure as Double Object Constructions (DOC) [V NP NP], using a structural priming paradigm. Native speakers of Mandarin were primed to produce a V-gei, DOC, or a Gei-object Construction (GOC) [V NP gei NP]. They then were given the opportunity to produce either a V-gei, DOC, or a GOC at will. We found that Mandarin speakers produced significantly more DOC and V-gei sentences following DOC primes than GOC primes. V-gei primes, however, did not increase the production DOC or V-gei sentences. We discuss the implications of these results.