Research On The Syntax And Semantics Of The Structure “N+(zhe /er) + P Zhe”

There has been a long debate over whether there is a central-attributive relation(ie, postposition)in the three structures of the“N+(zhe /er) + P zhe” structure(N refers to noun, P to predicate). The opponents usually attribute the three structures fully or partially to attribute-central relation or apposition relation, while a few have interpreted this structure as subject-predicate relation. Most of the researchers have based their studies on a very small corpus.This thesis studies 3041 sample sentences from 50 kinds of writings, including as many as 72 sample sentences containing the “N+er+P zhe” structure, which significantly outweighs previous studies usually containingno more than five such samples. Combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies, this studyoffers a comprehensive description and analysis of the semantic and syntactic structure of the three structures with a thesis different from previous researches.To have a correct understanding of the nature and function of “zhe” is the key to the question. The author surveys the existing discussion on “zhe”which classifies “zhe” into two groups: demonstrative pronoun and modal particles. The former is in majority while only in a few cases “zhe” functions as modal paritcles to express assumption or cause. The article points out that the function of the demonstrative pronoun “zhe’”conforms to these two situations: those relating to N and those do not, which provides basis for the existence of the subject-predicate relation.It also demonstrates the existence of postpositive structure.First, the word order of general noun followed by specific noun and non-marked postposition is the source of words basis forits existence. Second, the “absolute”, “relative” and “either-or” types of utterance provides semantic basis for its existence. In particular, the “absolute” type of utterance is exclusive and takes up 28% of the whole sample, which proves objectively the existence of postposition. Third, under certain contexts, the scope of what “N” refers to can be diminished, which makes it possible for “P zhe” to modify and restrict “N”; and syntactically, “zhi”, “er”, “P zhe” can all indicate postposition---- these two facts provide grammatical basis for the existence of postposition.The thesis identifies seven categories of apposition, none of which can “P zhe” conform to, therefore the article is able to rule out the existence of apposition. However, there are a number of “N” and “P zhe” in which a attribute-central relation between the whole and the part exist, and the article discusses this from seven aspects based on utterance samples. The unique proposal of this thesis is that a subject-predicate relation exists in all three structures, which can be grouped into these two categories: first, predicates with a missing major subject where “zhe” substitutes the major subject so that “N” and “P” forms into subject-predicate relation. Second, subject-predicate structure with a full major subject, in which case “zhe” either refers to other grammatical properties outside of the subject-predicate structure, or refers to nothing but just functions as a modal particle. Therefore, “N” and “P” are also in a subject-predicate relation. The conclusion is that there are multiple semantic and syntactic relations in the “N+(zhi,er)+P zhe” structure, therefore the structure is a hybrid.