Nouns and Noun Phrases - University of Macau Library

638 Syntax of Dutch: nouns and noun phrases
and the state of Washington. The two readings seem to differ in the intonation
patterns they trigger: on the first reading, accent is preferably given to N2, whereas
on the second reading it is instead N1 that receives contrastive accent. It may be the
case that the two readings also involve different syntactic structures (for instance [NP
N [NP N]] versus [NP [NP N] N]), but at this moment we do not have any evidence
that bears on this issue. It seems that the most common modification relation is that
in which N2 has a modifying function with respect to N1. Some typical examples,
which are often given in the literature, are given in (179). This section will discuss a
number of systematic types of examples.
(179) a. de maand mei
the month [of] may
b. de leraar wiskunde
the teacher math
‘the math teacher’
I. Binominal constructions that can be used as vocatives and arguments
In this construction type, N2 is a proper noun referring to a person. When the
construction as a whole refers to a person, N1 can be a rank in a hierarchically
ordered organization like the army or the church, a title, a form of address or a
kinship noun (especially tante ‘aunt’ and oom ‘uncle’). Some examples, mainly
adapted from Haeseryn et al. (1997), are given in (180).
(180) a. Rank: koningin Beatrix ‘Queen Beatrix’; generaal McArthur ‘General
McArthur’
b. Title: doctor Jansen ‘Dr. Jansen’; Graaf Grisenstijn ‘Count Grisenstijn’
c. Form of address: meneer/mevrouw Verdonk ‘Mr./Mrs. Verdonk’
d. Kinship noun: tante Jeanne ‘Aunt Jeanne’; oom/ome Ben ‘Uncle Ben’
The resulting structures in (180) function as a complex proper nouns, which is clear
from the fact that they normally cannot be preceded by an article. The examples in
(181) show that in this respect they crucially differ from constructions in which the
N1s occur on their own.
(181) a. Ik heb (*de) koningin Beatrix gezien.
I have the Queen Beatrix seen
b. Ik heb *(de) koningin gezien.
I have the Queen seen
It is also clear from the fact illustrated in (182) that, like proper nouns, binominal
constructions can be used both as vocative, and in regular argument position.
(182) a. Docter Jansen, kunt u even komen?
Dr. Jansen can you for.a.moment come
b. Kan dokter Jansen even komen?
can Doctor Jansen for.a.moment come
Forms of address like meneer and mevrouw can be followed by a noun phrase
denoting a highly ranked profession or social function, as in (183a). When the