A Semantic Analysis Of Conjunction 'Er' In Modern Chinese

We re-examined the meaning and function of the conjunction'Er'in modern Chinese based on large corpus analysis. We set up three meanings for conjunction 'Er'. The first one is coordinator which can be used in both and-cordination and but-coordination. We used the notation 'Er1'. The second one is used between the adverbial and the main verb. We used the notation'Er2'. The third one is used as a discouse maker. We used the notation'Er3'. On that basis, we compared conjunction^Er'and other similar expression and explained the similarities and differences. Futher more, we tried to show how the three meanings are connected.The coordinator'Er1'is the most basic and unmarked use of conjunction 'Er'.'Er2'is used in contrast disjunction, but the two parts are equally important. Although'Er3'is placed between adverbial and the main verb, it is still a conjunction, and it typically used in structures like'vp, +er2+vp2" and "cp/pp+er2+vp". The mamin function of 'Er3'is as marker for event boundaries and marker for natural focus.The discourse marker 'Er3'is not mentioned in the previous. It is used to swich topics in both written and spoken Chinese. In written Chinese, we often use the format'Er3+indefinite singular NP". In spoken Chinese, we often use the structure 'Er3+topic+("ne" 'ne'is a topic marker))' and 'cp1+interjection+Er3+cp2'.