Abstract
Abstract This thesis aims to map out inner-outer dichotomy in terms of applicative, disposal construction and light verbs in Northern Sixian Hakka under the cartographic approach (Rizzi 1997, Cinque1999), and further specifies the interactions of the multiple constructions among these categories. By observing the semantic and syntactic properties of applicative and disposal constructions, as well as light verbs in Northern Sixian Hakka, and by identifying how these properties are similar to those used in Mandarin (Tsai 2011a), we propose that these structures form the basis of an inner-outer dichotomy. The arguments of both the applicative and disposal constructions are introduced by the explicit marker lau. An applicative construction with the explicit marker lau is an outer affective, and is situated in the high applicative of the CP periphery. By contrast, an inner affective comprising pseudo double object constructions without the explicit marker lau is distributed to the middle applicative in the vP periphery. Moreover, disposal lau behaves as a light verb and both inner and outer disposals are distributed within the vP and lower than inner affective. Furthermore, light verbs can be divided into inner and outer groups according to their predicate types; an outer light verb that is associated with causality is arranged within the left periphery, whereas an inner light verb that is related to an instrument, location, or reason is situated within the vP phase. Based on this topography, the interaction of these constructions verifies the split-CP (Rizzi 1997) and the existence of vP periphery in Northern Sixian Hakka.