On Clausal Comparison in Japanese and Relativization of Semi-lexical Nominals

This paper investigates the syntax and semantics of the clausal comparatives in Japanese. It is argued that the apparent clausal comparatives in Japanese must be (re-)analyzed as a phrasal comparative which is derived via relativization. We observe, however, that the clausal standard of comparison in Japanese does not always involve a variable of type e. Thus, I propose a hidden relative clause structure of the clausal comparatives in Japanese with a covert semi-lexical nominal Head. The gap of the raised semi-lexical nominal Head within the clausal standard is not interpreted as the variable of the type e because, despite its nominal property, it only denotes a quantity or a degree. On the basis of the syntax and semantics of numeral quantifiers, I claim the (covert) semi-lexical Heads are restricted to the two types: (i) kazu ‘number’ or ryoo ‘amount’ for the comparison of quantity, and (ii) teido ‘degree’ for the comparison of deviation