Negation And Particle ’Le’ In Mandarin Chinese

The thesis concentrates on the interaction between the particle LE and thenegative markers BU and MEI (YOU). By investigating and researching the interactionbetween the particle LE and different situation types, we will try to find out thenumber of the particle LE, and discuss the interaction between the negative markersBU and MEI (YOU) and the particle LE respectively from a new perspective. First, weattempt to find whether there is a clear correlation between the particle LE and thedifferent situation types, namely, states, activities, accomplishments and achievements.And what is the reason of the incomplete effect caused by some accomplishment verbswith the particle LE. Second, we examine the problem there are two LEs or only oneLE, considering their interaction with various situation types respectively. And if thereare two LEs, what are their respective meanings; if there is only one LE, what is themeaning of the particle LE. Last, whether the negative markers BU and MEI (YOU)really can not be compatible with the verbal LE.In response to the first issue, under the guide of the aspect theory, many examplesconsisting of the different situation types and the particle LE are put forward, and wemake a further discussion, and find that: there is a clear correlation between thedifferent situation types and the particle LE, and the incomplete effect is caused by thegradability of some accomplishment verbs, like xie ‘to write’.Concerning the second issue, there are still two LEs, but they indicate the samemeaning regardless of the position of the particle LE, verb-final or sentence-final. Thebasic meaning of the particle LE is inchoative in stative situations and perfective indynamic situations respectively.Considering the last issue, based on the previous studies on the incompatibility ofthe negative markers BU and MEI (YOU) and the verbal LE, and some examples fromthe Peking University Center for Chinese Linguistics, we find that under somecircumstances, they can be compatible. When the negative marker BU actually negatesnot the main verb but the modal, or the copula, or when the negative marker BUnegates an expected condition, the negative marker BU can co-exist with the verbal LE.And when the negative marker negates the verb YOU rather than the aspect markerYOU, or when the negative marker negates what the speaker expected before, thenegative marker MEI (YOU) can co-occur with the verbal LE.