Studies On Chinese Lower Limit Range Adverbs

The research of this paper is a category of modern chinese adverbs—the lower limit adverbs denoting Indispensability. The research mainly include location and distribution, semantic, functions and the etymology and so on.Before the research, firstly we make these words in a sense,we put the adverbs that share semantic feature to be summed up in [+限定下限]. According to semantic framework, we mainly choose"至少","起码","最少","顶少"to study.(一)Location and DistributionFirstly we review the sentences distribution of the lower limit range Adverbs, starting from three relatively common sentences, we point unbalanced distribution of them. The four words are can be used after the Subject and before the Predicate. Among this, the "最少" are often concerned with Number, "顶少" should only be used before Predicates, it cannot directly modify the Number. Only"至少"and"起码"will appear on before the Subject.Secondly, on sentence patterns,"顶少" cannot be used in the negative statement and cannot be used in question sentence. we found that the lower limit range adverb is not used to select question sentence. Because of this kind of words in the tone are have some of the subjective and evaluation .And selection question sentence don't tend to any objective. The lower limit the range of these adverbs are used in exclamations and imperative clause.(二)Co-occurrence and CollocationThis chapter we look at the co-occurrence and collocation of the lower limit the scope of these adverbs and conjunctions and other types of adverbs .When co-occurrence together with the conjunction,Excluding of "顶少", the lower limit the range adverbs are used for concess transformation复句and necessary conditions复句. In the necessary condition复句, which is understood and reverse that two types of structure. The Concrete expression is"低限定p,才q"and"低限定p,否则/要不然q".In the reverse deduction, p is the condition of q, the lower limit the scope of these adverb is stress on the lowest limit."至少"and"起码"often used in the reverse hypothesis复句.On collocation with other modality adverbs .According to the language materials ,we've searched out a few often collocate with low limit the range adverb.For example,"可能""就""都""也"etc. we found that the collocation of the limit range adverb and other adverbs are not even. Among this,the combinating capacity of"至少"is top,"顶少"is low. At last, we quoted the theory of袁毓林( 2002 ),冯胜利( 2000 ) and刘立成( 2008 ) to analysis the cause of order.(三)Semantic AnalysisIn this part we mainly analysis the lower limit range adverbs from"方向","数量","虚实"three aspects;after that,we conclude that they point back, single and most,true. And we reviewed the Collocation of the lower limit range adverbs between negative word "不" and "没"。The Collocation of"至少"and"不"is more liberty, "顶少" and "不" cannot be togeather,"起码"for A式"至少不+(能,会,要)+VP"is more freedom, and the"最少"for B式"最少不+低于/少于/下+NP"is more freedom. Because of the collocation this kind of words and "不" is more free, so we have come to that survey these words have subjective element. Then we talk the subjective quantity differences between the lower limit range adverbs.(四)Functions and Etymology。This part discussed function and the etymology of the lower limit the scope of these adverbs. first of all ,we examine the words style and colour of the differences over the connection. we found the "至少" are usually used for a formal language, "顶少" is used only to the spoken language. The adaptive abilities of "起码" and "最少"is strong. Then we analysis the development of evolution of the lower limit range adverbs. We found the "最少" is appear early, following is"至少", and both have been used as adverbs is in the period of Ming and Qing ;"起码" is the word that is transited from FangYan to PuTongHua, in the Qing dynasty may be the first time, was widely used in民国."顶少"is still not concluded, but I guess"顶少"as a word should be late, and may be transitde from the FangYan of the PuTongHua.This paper described and analyzed the syntax, semantics, pragmatic features of the lower limit the scope of such words, as well as the differences between the words .We hope the conclusions can improve the study of modality adverbs in modern Chinese and the teaching practice in Chinese as a foreign language.