A Research On "Chayidian" Sentences And Their Research Methodology

Two aspects of "chayidian"(almost) sentences are studied in this paper, namely, the onto logical research and methodological research, wherein the former is a means of research, and the latter the goal of research. Ontological research refers to the reinterpretation of the syntactical phenomenon of "chayidian"(almost) sentences; and on this basis, it aims to summarize the methods of and approaches to the study of Chinese grammar.In detail, the ontological research of "chayidian" sentences focuses on solving the four questions:(1) The approach to differentiate the semantic truth-value of "chayidian mei VP" construction. The current differentiating methods, such as "wish" theory,"the active ingredient" theory,"tendency" theory,"desirability" theory, and "normality" theory, all have their rationality and deficiency. Based on these theories, this paper assumes that there are two ways to differentiate the semantic truth-value of "chayidian mei VP" construction:one way is the truth-value is already known both to the speaker and the hear; the second way is the hearer and the speaker always select the state of affairs with higher occurrence probability as the semantic truth value, thus ensuring the smooth communication.(2) The utility incentive of "chayidian" sentences. The paper holds that there are two kinds of occurrence probability of the state of affairs:one is the fixed cognition about the values of a certain type of events'two contradictory states compatible with the common sense; the other is the actual values of a specific event's two contradictory states in time. By using the "chayidian" constructions, the speaker suggests that a great qualitative change occur within the values of an event's occurrence probability, but the change in quantity does not lead to qualitative change.(3) The generation mechanism of redundant negation sentences of "chayidian mei P". This article suggests that this redundant negation sentence is a result of the subjectivisation operation made by the speaker in order to reflect subjectivity, and this opinion has modified the three former theories, i.e., the "mixture" theory,"irony" theory and "overflowing of the concealed negation" theory.(4) The contrastive study between "chayidian" sentences and "chabuduo" sentences. Both of the two adverbs denote that the difference value is small. However, the small value in "chayidian" construction is highly profiled because the value lies on the critical point, while the small value in "chabuduo" construction is neglected because the value does not lie in the critical point. This opposition of the psychological cognitive style leads to the differences between the two adverbs.The study on research methods of "chayidian" sentences mainly involves three aspects:(1) We believe that the intrinsic motivation driving the research of "chayidian" sentences is the interaction between language theories and language facts. In other words, the researchers always not only use the new language facts to prove or falsify language theories, but also use the new language theories to rewrite the language facts and even to find new language facts.(2) The research process of a single paper is also discussed. This process can be divided into three stages:First, to explore the language facts, including the discovery of new facts and the collection of similar facts. Second, to arrange language facts, including the selection of facts and the analysis of facts. Third, to construct the theoretical explanation for the facts, including the formation of ideas and articles.(3) Several deep-seated problems of language research are subsequently explored. First, with the help of "chayidian" sentence research, the article redefines the related concepts of language study. The language itself, as the origin, is unknowable but appreciable. The presentation of language can be achieved by auditory sense and visual sense which can be called "language representation" or "language materials"."Language facts" can be accessed by intellectual analysis of language materials. To categorize the language facts from the intellectual perspective will approach the "language phenomenon", and to explain the language phenomenon will arrive at the "language theory", also called "language ontology". Second, the primary argument between the language fact and language theory has been discussed. The artical contends that an "inclusive, dynamic equilibrium" attitude should be held to the overall language studies, but for the current Chinese grammar study it should strengthen theoretical considerations. Third, the orientation of theoretical research of Chinese grammar is made. Taking the "chayidian" sentence research as the example, we demonstrate that the Chinese grammar studies should adhere to the Parataxis grammar. Additionally, we should highly appreciate the role of alien theories while focusing on constructing innovative theories for Chinese grammar. The latter point is tempted in the ontology research section in this dissertation.