“Topic” is a very important concept in contemporary linguistics and a hot issue in the world linguistics for nearly half a century. On the basis of the Minimalist Program (MP), this paper analyzed the derivation and distribution problem of ‘Chinese topic’ using Cartographic approach, Theta-role theory, etc. In particular, the two method of topic generation was addressed intensively in this paper.
In this paper, it is assumed that the one of the Topic was base-generated above the CP-spec, which is external merges(as ⅱ), and the other Topic is related with leftward-movement (topicalization movement), which is internal merges(as ⅰ). We have also figured out that the derivation process of the two topics and their positions can be displayed as follows.
ⅰ) [CP ø [TopP [PP/vP/DP]i (Topic) [Top’ Top [TP DPsubj [vP [VP (ti)…(ti)…(ti) ]]]]]
ⅱ) [TopP (DP/PP)RP (Topic) [Top’ Top [CP ø [TP DPsubj [vP …VP…(PP/DP)RP]]]]]
In above ⅰ), the three traces (ti) in the VP are the traces of movement of PP, vP, and DP respectively.
In above ⅱ), ‘RP’ in the TP means resumptive pronoun or resumptive constituent.
We focus on the Chinese style topic which is called “Dangling Topic”, in contrast to English one.