Study On The Selectivity Of Modal Adverbs To Types Of Interrogative Sentences In Modern Chinese

This paper discusses the selectivity of modal adverbs to types of interrogative sentences. Sub-topic discussed include: 1) the distribution of modal adverbs in four kinds of interrogative sentences; 2) the suspicion degree and inquiry degree of interrogative sentences; 3) discrete focus and non-discrete focus of interrogative sentences; 4) the process of transformation of sentences from affirmative form to interrogative form; 5) discrete focus and non-discrete focus in rhetorical questions.Chapter One is the introduction.Chapter Two analyses selectivity of inquiring adverbs to interrogative sentences. There are two kinds of focus in interrogative sentences. They are discrete focus and non-discrete focus. Discrete focus forms a set of choices. This set offers scope of answers and only inquiring adverbs could match with interrogative sentences that have discrete focus.Chapter Three studies modal adverbs of estimate. We consider the estimated adverbs have preset function. Their strong affirmation makes them combine with nondiscrete focus easily. Interrogative sentences which have non-discrete require confirmatory answers.Chapter Four discusses the semantic framework of rhetorical questions converted from general interrogative sentences. The general interrogative sentences and rhetorical questions which share the same form have a common focus. After rhetorical process, non-discrete focus generates a new set of confirmatory answer. This phenomenon allows “nandao” to match with yes-no form rhetorical questions.Chapter Five is the conclusion.