Zai-sentence In Chinese

This dissertation investigates zai-sentence in Chinese. I divide zai-sentence into5categories:±NP+在+X,PP±NP+VP, NP+PP+VP,±NP+V+PP and NP+V(了)+O+PP. Base on the specific research objectives and research contents, PP structure will be divided into few types to study. The study contents and outlook of this thesis is as follows:Firstly, the semantic functions and syntactic properties of“在+X”in±NP+在+X are investigated, in contrast with "o+X" structure in Vietnamese. It shows that, both zai and a extend from the "exist" meaning to the other related meanings, however, because their original meanings are different, their extended meanings are certainly different, thus, their syntactic properties also happen to be different. It partially reflects the interaction between semantics and syntax and their mutual affections.Secondly, we discuss the semantic functions of PP in "NP+PP+VP","PP±NP+VP", consider that when zai combines with different noun phrases, it indicates different meanings. Through data investigation, PP mainly semantically indicates:time, scope, location and subject of action. When PP is the common structure“在+X+方位词”,it not only can express location, direction, scope and time meanings, but also can indicate the meanings of condition, state or circumstances, etc.Thirdly, the semantic orientations of PP in "PP±NP+VP","NP+PP+VP" are also investigated."PP±NP+VP","NP+PP+VP"structure will be divided into eight types of sentences“在+NL+VP+NP受”,“在+NL+NP施/当事+VP”,“NP施+在+NL+VP”,“NP当事+在+NL+VP”,“在+NL+NP1+VP+NP2”,“NP施+在+NL+VP+NP受”,“NP施+在+NL+VP+NP对象”,“NP施+在+NL+VP+NP结果”,according to the characteristics and the interaction between the verb V, the location phrase NL, the agentsNP施andthe receiverNP受,(?)ve investigate the semantic orientations of“在+NL”The study shows that, the semantic orientations of PP are not unconstrained, but closely relate to the components of the sentence. As long as the parameter of one of the components changes, the semantic orientation of PP will be directly affected. That is to say, both the single-oriented, double-oriented, triple-oriented indications of PP, and even the indefinite semantic orientation are resulted by the affection of dative verbs V, location phrases NL, agents NPi and receivers NP2.Fourth of all, I discuss the V in“±NP+V+在+NL”,thus we only discuss“±NP+V+在+NL”structure in terms of this sentence pattern. The results show that, all the V which can appear in this sentence pattern have some common characteristics, most of these characteristics regard the syllable number and the class of V. The semantic contents of "V+在+NL”change according to different semantic characteristics of V.Fifth, I investigate the V in“NP+V(了)+O+在+NL”structure and its establishment condition. The study shows that,“NP+V(了)+O+在+NL”remains from ancient Chinese, its frequency of use is very low, and the establishment condition is really strict“NP+V(了)+O+在+NL”(?)nust meet the requirements of the syllable numbers of V, the semantics of V and the relationship between NP and O, then it is established.Sixth, through diachronic study, we elaborate the evolvement of zai, and found that the evolvement of zai shows two tendencies, development and recession. This fits in with the regular pattern of languages to self-adjust continuously. In this study, we also add more evidences for the reason of the recession of the sentence pattern“NP+V(了)+O+在+NL”,from the angle of tai/o-sentence in Vietnamese.Seventh, regarding the issue of determining and classifying the part of speech of zai, we consider that we can base on syntactic characteristics to classify verb and preposition. As for zai in“V+在+NL”stucture, we can attribute it to the preposition part of speech according to the result of hierarchical division. This dissertation proposes that“V+NL”isthe result of“V+在+NL”get rid of zai, and test this proposal. The study’s results show that, in order to meet the requirement of rhythm, zai in“V+在+NL”will select to combine with V or with NL, this combination, however, is only shown phonologically. On the aspect of semantic, zai still indicates location, if there is no zai marking location, the location meaning which location words express will not be clear, or will change.This dissertation respects the combination of forms and meanings, structures and functions, description and interpretation, simultaneously, applies the theoretical methods of semantic orientation analysis, semantic characteristics analysis and contrastive study analysis, thoroughly and systematically studies zai-sentence in modern Chinese, in contrast with tai/o-sentence in Vietnamese, attempts to add more evidences for zai-sentence issue in Chinese from the angle of Vietnamese. However, because of the limited time and ability, this dissertation still remains some problems, waiting for further study in the future.