&#x0201c;Sloppy&#x0201d; Identity Reading and Sluicing-like Constructions in Mandarin, Uyghur and Mongolian

Tommy Tsz-Ming Lee; Xue Bai

doi:10.65961/crcl-2026-0021

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Current Research in Chinese Linguistics ›› 2026, Vol. 105 ›› Issue (2) : 421-440. DOI: 10.65961/crcl-2026-0021

Special Topic: International Symposium on Silk Road Linguistics

“Sloppy” Identity Reading and Sluicing-like Constructions in Mandarin, Uyghur and Mongolian

Tommy Tsz-Ming Leeⁱ, Xue Bai^ii*

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Abstract

This paper investigates sluicing-like constructions (SCs) in Mandarin, Mongolian, and Uyghur, contributing to ongoing debates concerning the nature of anaphoric elements in SCs. Through a comparative analysis, we challenge existing diagnostics for distinguishing between surface and deep anaphora, which draws on the availability of “sloppy” identity readings (contra Wang & Wu 2006) or on the c-command condition on such readings (contra Wei 2009). We expand the current discussion by considering the availability mix “sloppy” readings as a diagnostic test and its correlation with (anti-)case-matching effects and facts about extraction from SCs. Our findings suggest that SCs in Mandarin and Uyghur involve deep anaphora, while SCs in Mongolian exhibit characteristics of surface anaphora. This research offers new insights into the typology of anaphora in SCs.

Key words

sluicing-like constructions / “sloppy” identity reading / Mandarin / Uyghur / Mongolian

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Tommy Tsz-Ming Lee, Xue Bai. “Sloppy” Identity Reading and Sluicing-like Constructions in Mandarin, Uyghur and Mongolian[J]. Current Research in Chinese Linguistics. 2026, 105(2): 421-440 https://doi.org/10.65961/crcl-2026-0021

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