| This paper will study the generation process, evolutionary motivation,grammaticalization level and typological distribution of modern Chinese“X-Not-X”positive and negative question（PNQ for short）. from the angle of cognitive linguistics,grammaticalization, pragmatics and typology. By combining the structural linguisticand functional explanation, synchronic and diachronic analysis, time and space, weanalyze the origins and sources of “X-Not-X” PNQ, and try to make clear its syntacticstructure, semantic features and pragmatic-function-evolution rules, as well as theits “secondary function”. We will also present the typological status of “X-Not-X” byusing macro and micro method, explanation and analysis.The whole dissertation is composed of ten chapters except the introduction andthe conclusion.The introduction part will make clear the research object, research significance,research background, previous research insufficiency, solutions, and establishtheoretical framework of this dissertation.The main body is divided into four parts：PART I: this part is a study of the static features centering on “nature andexpression”, from the synchronic angle including the nature, characteristics, syntacticstructure, semantic and pragmatic functions of the “X-Not-X” PNQ. Chapter I, II andIII are included in this part.Chapter I makes a definition of PNQ as well as its different classificationsaccording to different standards, which is different from previous research. At thesame time, this chapter will discuss the degree of doubt, question-expressionconstraints, as well as the difference between the optional question and the yes-noquestion. In this paper, the PNQ are defined as follows: the PNQ is to make enquiriesof positive and negative aspects of a proposition by using the overlapping form ofpredicate.Chapter II concludes several different sentence patterns by analyzing thesyntactic structures of “X-Not-X” PNQ, which will lay the foundation for the following research in a deeper way.Chapter III discusses semantic features and syntactic and pragmatic functions of“X-Not-X” PNQ. Classified as a predicative phrase,“X-Not-X” structure will work as apredicate in the PNQ normally, as a referential subject, as a modifying attributewhich expresses uncertainty, as an object, complement and adverbial modifier whichcan only be used in a restricted way. Composed of“bu（不）”,“X-Not-X”PNQmainly makes enquiries about the subjective willingness, fact in future, the nature ofthe object and the degree level. Composed of“me（i没）”,“X-Not-X”PNQ mainlymakes enquiries about past fact and uncertain quality of the object.“Asking”is theoriginal function of PNQ. This will degrade into“Inquiring”later which symbolizesthe deterioration of the pragmatic function of the PNQ. When the suspiciousfunction is weakened as “doubtless”, the non-original indicative mood is presented,which is the result of grammaticalization of the suspicious function.PART II: this part will be unfolded around the“generation and evolution”bystudying the development and evolution rules of the“X-Not-X”PNQ from thediachronic angle. ChapterⅣ,ⅤandⅥwill be included.ChapterⅣmainly discusses evolution of“X-Not-X”PNQ from ancient Chinese,medieval Chinese, to Tang and Five dynasties. In ancient and medieval age（beforeTang dynasty）, the main syntax format of PNQ is“VPNeg（PRT）”.“Neg”whichis at the end of the sentence stands for referential negation word. In medieval times,the weakening of the referential negation word “Neg” leads to some changes in thenature of the interrogative sentence. During the Tang and Five dynasties,“VPNeg”and“VPNegVP” stand for the two major forms of PNQ. The most significant change inthis period is the emergence of the sentence pattern “VPNegVP”.ChapterⅤmainly discusses the evolution of“X-Not-X”PNQ from Song&Yuandynasties to Ming&Qing dynasties and then to modern Chinese, including theevolution in its syntactic, semantic and pragmatic functions. During Song&Yuan andMing&Qing dynasties,“VPNeg”,“VPNegVP” and “KVP” stand for the three majorforms of PQN, among which the former two are the basic forms. After Ming&Qingdynasties,“VPNegVP” gradually gains its dominance with more diversities in its syntactic format, because of the semantic features of“bu（不）”and“mei you（没有）/mei（没）”which leads to the differentiation of syntactic function of“VPNegVP”. In Modern Chinese, the basic form of PQN is gradually crystallized（simplified and standard）after middle&later periods of Qing dynasty. Take awhole view of the evolution history of PNQ from the simple to the complex and thento the simple again, ancient and medieval age represent its infancy, recent historydisplays its extending, and the modern age symbolizes its crystallization.ChapterⅥdiscusses the generation and evolution mechanism of“X-Not-X”PNQ. Both the internal and external cause affect the development and change ofPNQ. The internal cause comes from the evolution and competition of differentsentence patterns within the language system. And the evolution of “X-Not-X” PNQexperiences the ups and downs of construction. External cause displays at bothpragmatic and cognitive level. The original nature of “X-Not-X” PNQ is not to makeenquiries, and the interrogative function is formed when it is fixed in predicateposition with its construction crystallized, indicative mood fading and interrogativefunction emphasizing, which lead to the generation of PQN after reanalysis.“X-Not-X” PNQ construction is formed through the grammaticalization after theduplication of predicative constituents. Semantically,“X” of “X-Not-X” PNQ cannotrefer the concrete behaviors, but the abstract ones instead, which symbolizes thesemantic generalization and makes interrogative function of “X-Not-X” possible.Pragmatically, the construction “X-Not-X”, being as a constituent of PQN, experiencesa functional transition and extension from the indicative function to discoursefunction, which indicates the modality preferentially. The syntactic features ofconstruction “X-Not-X” leads to the decategorization of “X”. Semantic abstraction, thedisappearing of the categorical distribution and the weakening of the formalsyntactic structure make the construction “X-Not-X” change from thereality-indicated to irreality-indicated.PART III：this part will revolve around the“fixation and tokenization”byconducting a research of its dynamic evolution, where much emphasis will be put on the further extension and development of the function of“X-Not-X”PNQ. ChapterⅦ,ⅧandⅨwill be included.ChapterⅦdiscusses the grammaticalization level of“X-Not-X”construction.The original function of“X-Not-X”construction is to make enquiries which gains asecondary function under the pragmatic influence. This is also due to the weakeningof the constructional meaning of “X-Not-X”, increasing in the subjectivisation andgrammaticalization. Different types of “X-Not-X” will present differentgrammaticalization levels such as potential grammaticalized, semi-grammaticalizedand totally grammaticalized.ChapterⅧis a case study of the grammaticalization of“X-Not-X”construction. based on syntactic characteristics and functional type of“xing bu xing（行不行）”. And we find that“xing bu xing（行不行）”whose evolution is also aprocess of subjectivisation is not only a question marker but a multi-functionalmarker. Through the gradually increasing grammaticalization, the interrogativefunction of“xing bu xing（行不行）”is reduced, and crystallized as a imperativemood marker, exclamatory mood marker as well as a discourse marker.ChapterⅨdiscusses the unbalanced phenomenon of the grammaticalizationof“X-Not-X”construction by analyzing the common and unique traits, motivationsand mechanisms of the grammaticalizaiton. This unbalance shows regularities insemantics, cognitive mode and pragmatics. The mechanisms and motivations ofgrammaticalization is displayed in the change of syntactic position, reanalysis,subjectivisation, metaphor, etc.PARTⅣ: this part will center on the“typological status”by conductingcomparative analysis. It is composed of ChapterⅩ.Through comparative analysis of distribution of the Chinese ethnic languagesand Chinese dialects in PNQ, we try to find the language contact between themandarin and the other dialects. By reconsidering the “X-Not-X” PNQ through atypological study, we try to discover the nature of the “X-Not-X” PNQ.The conclusion part will summarize the basic ideas of this dissertation, bypointing out the innovations as well as the deficiencies which need to be further investigated. |
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