Adverbials and Sentential Anaphora in English and Japanese

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the relationships between adverbials and sentential anaphors (e.g. it, that, sore, Ø), and considers whether or not an adverbial in a preceding (succeeding) sentence is included in the antecedent of a sentential anaphor.
Sections 1.1 and 2.1 make clear that a sentential adverbial is always excluded from the antecedent of a sentential anaphor, as seen in (la, b).
(1) a. Probably John will pass the exam and everyone expects it.
b. To my regret, the man is an alcoholic, but Mary denies it.
Sections 1.2 and 2.2 deal with predicate adverbials, and argue that a predicate adverbial is either included in or excluded from the antecedent of a sentential anaphor, which depends upon the context, or the speaker-hearer's pragmatic knowledge. Observe the following examples, where in (2a) suddenly is excluded from the antecedent and in (2b) it is included.
(2) a. Suddenly Elsa jumped on the roof of the car. She liked it.
b. Suddenly it began to rain, but they say it often occurs in this district.
In 1.3 and 2.3 it is argued that a strictly subcategorized adverbial never fails to be included in the antecedent of a sentential anaphor, as seen in (3a, b).
(3) a. Terry dresses elegantly. Everyone admires it.
b. Rosa put her legs on the desk. it irritated John.