The Dual Identity of the Post-Verbal Can1 in Cantonese: A Non-Specific Resultative Particle and a Free Choice Item

Abstract

Abstract This paper discusses the syntactic and semantic properties of the two functions of the post-verbal can1 in Cantonese. The first function of the post-verbal can1 is a non-specific resultative particle that denotes any degree on a “bodily harm” scale. The non-specific nature of can1 ensures that the scale is always a simplex scale (containing only a beginning and an end) and thus [V-can1] predicates behave like achievement verbs. The second function of the post-verbal can1 is a free choice item (FCI). It appears only in non-episodic sentences, specifically in dou1 (iota operator)-conditionals or zau6 (necessity operator)-conditionals.