In current Universal Grammar (UG) theory, operator-variable binding plays a critical role (Safir, 2004). The study reported in this chapter investigates whether the binding relation between an operator and a variable is part of the innate language faculty consistent with the claims of UG. I will examine VP-ellipsis structures. The operator-variable binding in VP ellipsis is interesting in that it gives rise to ambiguity of antecedence that does not exist in the absence of ellipsis. It allows 'sloppy reading' (Example 1 below) in which the reflexive himself in the elided VP co-refers with Bill and 'strict reading' (Example 2 below) in which the pronoun him in the elided VP co-refers with John (Fiengo & May, 1994).

• Johni defended himselfi and Billj did [defend himselfj] too.

• John i defended himselfi and Billj did [defend himi] too.

Following Huang (1987, 1994), I claim that both sloppy and strict readings involve variable binding, that is, the reflexives in both these structures reflect variable binding without either an overt WH operator or quantifier.

Chinese shows similar binding possibilities as English. However, Chinese differs from English in that Chinese VP-ellipsis structures can include a lexical verb (Example 3) or the verb shi 'be' (Example 4).

• Zhangsan tian-yi-xia taziji-de bing-bang, Lisi ye tian-yi-xia. Zhangsan lick-1-time himself-s ice-bar, Lisi also lick-1-time. 'Zhangsan licks his ice-bar and Lisi does too.'

• Zhangsan tian-yi-xia taziji-de bing-bang, Lisi ye [ IP shi [ VP [ NP e]]].