On The Modal Particles In Ningbo Dialect

Ningbo dialect is a big branch of Wu dialect,which is an important representative of Zhejiang Wu dialect.People have concerned and investigated Ningbo dialect for more than a hundred years.Most studies are about pronunciation,original character,vocabulary and grammar,and few are about function words,let alone the modal particles in Ningbo dialect. Numerous experienced scholars have done systematic investigations on Shanghai dialect and Suzhou dialect,which provide a solid basis and scientific reference for investigating Ningbo dialect.Based on previous researches,the present research attempts to make an initial investigation on the modal particles in Ningbo dialect,which may contribute to the studies of Ningbo dialect.The rich modal particles are one of the big characteristics in Chinese,while they also play an important role in Ningbo dialect.It is a major means for Ningbo people to express their emotions in daily life.Compared to common characteristics of the Wu dialect,the modal particles in Ningbo dialect shows its own unique features,which provide us with special research value.We mainly use daily spoken language from dialect programs on TV to summarize the systern of the modal particles in Ningbo dialect through the exploration of its function as well as the full description and the integrative comparison on the basis of synchronic plane.This thesis is divided into four chapters.Chapter 1 is the introduction,which briefly introduces Ningbo and Ningbo dialect firstly,then reviews the history and present status of the modal particles in Chinese with the emphasis on the achievement of studies on dialect's modal particles and the significance of investigating the modal particles in Ningbo dialect.Chapter 2 is about "classified descriptions of the modal particles in Ningbo dialect". Based on the reasonable classification,namely following the principle of combining meaning and function,the modal particles in Ningbo dialect is divided into two major categories,namely interrogative modal particles and non-interrogative modal particles.A.Interrogative Modal Particles(7):O₁/He₁(嚎₁/å—¬₁),La(啦 1),So₁(å•¥₁),A₁(å•Š₁),Va₁((口伐)₁),Vei((勿会)),Vo((勿否));These modal particles are used to pass on the query information at the end of the sentence,signify query of "yes or no" sentences,and repeat interrogative sentences.They contain the interrogative information,and signify non-interrogative propositions and repetitive interrogative sentences,which always appear at the end of the sentenceB.Non-interrogative Modal ParticlesThey don't contain the interrogative information,and help express other modal particles.According to the difference in meaning and function,they can be further divided into three types,namely time and aspect modal particles,modality modal Particle,and temporary modal particles.a.Time and Aspect Modal Particles(6):Lei₁((口雷)₁),Zi(ä»”),Gai(该),Di₁(çš„₁),Ki/Ki Ki(看/看看),Gou(过)The appearance of these modal particles can signify the time and aspect in sentences.b.Modality Modal Particle(13):Lei₂((口雷)₂),La₂(啦₂),Go(个),Di₂(çš„₂),Na(呐),A₂(å•Š₂),O₂/He₂(嚎₂/å—¬₂),Ne₁(å‘¢₁),Fa(å¼—),Va₂((口伐)₂),Ma₁(末₁),Ga(介),DongXi(东西)These modal particles,which give the emotional attitudes to the sentence,and express the fact and subjective mood,melt the speakers' subjective emotions into the sentences. They can be divided into two types;one can not be used in interrogative modal,such as "Go(个),Di₂(çš„₂),Na(呐)"et al.;the other only regulates the strength of functional modal, strengthening or smoothing,which can be used in interrogative modal.However,they don't load query information or affect the form of the sentences.Some of them can even change the intonation of the sentences,such as "La+2(啦₂),A₂(å•Š₂),Ne₁(å‘¢₁),Va₂((口伐)₂)" et al..c.Temporary Modal Particles(7):La₃(啦₃),A₃(å•Š₃),Ei(欸),Ne₂(å‘¢₂),Zi(是),Ma₂(末₂).The modal particles in the middle of sentence signify the pause or subject.According to the above division,we describe these four types of the modal particles one by one.Through comparison of minimal difference and maximal commonness,we conclude a diagram of a diagram of the interrogative modal particles,the time and aspect modal particles,a diagram of the modality modal particles,and a diagram of temporary modal panicles.Chapter 3 investigates the function of the modal particles in Ningbo dialect.It analyzed the function of the modal particles in Ningbo dialect from three angles,namely semantics,syntax and pragmatics.A diagram of the informative and interrogative modal particles in Ningbo dialect is depicted from the perspective of semantics.The function of completing the sentence and redundancy is presented from the angle of syntax.Under many circumstances,only when they exist,the sentence can be valid,showing the facts and express feelings.From the perspective of pragmatics,function of discourse,which is not simply the express of tone,but an approach to pause and respond,is displayed.Chapter 4 describes Ningbo dialect modal particles features.After the concrete description of the meaning and function of Ningbo dialect modal particles,we construct a system of Ningbo dialect modal particles.We conclude that five features.First,there is a large quantity of modal particles,which can be used widely;second,there is the harmony between intonation and tone;third,they have numerous origins;fourth,some overlap, while others can be paused;fifth,they can be used consecutively with strict rules and unrestricted.