
Language Sciences
Education
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1990
M.A. Shandong University, 1985
B.A. Shandong University, 1982
Teaching
Ling 309: Grammatical Variability of Language
Ling 330: Syntax
Ling 373: Topics in Linguistics – Morphosyntax
Ling 530: Syntactic Theories
Ling 97x: Seminar
Selected Publications
(co-authored with Zhe Chen). Bipartite agentivity expression in Chinese passives. 2021. Syntax 4:123-141.
Liberal thematic arguments and v. To appear. In S. Feng and D. Tsai (eds.), Studies in Chinese Light Verbs. Beijing University Press.
On an integral theory of word-formation in Chinese and beyond. To appear. In Huang, C.-R., Y.-H. Lin and I.-H. Chen (eds.), Cambridge Handbook of Chinese Linguistics. Cambridge University Press.
What can biolinguistics learn from biology? 2018 Waiyu Jiaoxue yu Yanjiu 50.3 (co-authored with Zhe Chen).
Chinese Syntax. 2016. In Routledge Encyclopedia of the Chinese Language. Routledge.
Argument structure. 2016. In Wolfgang Behr, G. Yueguo, Z. Handel, C.-T. Huang, and R. Sybesma (eds), Encyclopedia of Chinese Language and Linguistics, vol 1. Brill.
Is UG like a chunk of Swiss cheese? Evidence for a “third-factor” principle. 2013. Language and Linguistics 14:737-754.
Adverb classes and the nature of minimality. 2012 Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 30.1 (co-authored with Rebecca Shields and Vivian Lin).
The Syntax of Chinese. 2009. Cambridge University Press (co-author, with James Huang and Audrey Li).
X0: A Theory of the Morphology-Syntax Interface. 2005. MIT Press.
Cross-componential causativity. 1999. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 17.4.
X0-binding and verb incorporation. 1990. Linguistic Inquiry 21.3.
On V-V compounds in Chinese. 1990. Natural Language and Linguistic Theory 8.2.
Yafei Li’s complete publication list