Formal Semantics Approach To “X De Bu Neng Zai X” Structure

“X de bu neng zai X” is a common structure which is employed frequently in our daily life. Scholars in China made a relatively detailed research about its pragmatic, syntactic and rhetorical functions(Zhang Lianqiang(1986), Zeng Haiqing(2010) etc.), while the studies of meaning of the structure are not detailed to some extent. The most representative viewpoint on the meaning is put forward by L? Shuxiang(1980). Based on the analysis of “X”, he insists that “X de bu neng zai X” structure expresses excessive degree meaning. This opinion has a far-reaching influence on the subsequent researches. Most scholars accept his opinion and make a detailed description and analysis of other linguistic aspects of the structure such as its entry conditions, syntactic function, rhetoric effects(Zhong Huilin(2010), Huang Jing(2011) etc.).Firstly,this thesis discusses the semantic features of“X de bu neng zai X”structure under the framework of Formal Semantics.According to the gradable feature of“X”,some conclusions are summarized as below:(1)Besides excessive degree meaning,“X de bu neng zai X”structure also can express non-continuative meaning.(2)When“X”possesses the feature of gradability,the structure expresses excessive degree meaning in which“bu neng zai X”is the degree complement of“X”.When“X”is a non-gradable predicate,the structure expresses non-continuative meaning in which“bu neng zai X”is the resultative complement of“X”.(3)In addition to adjectives,some verbs also possess the feature of gradability such as“??(believe)”,“?(love)”.(4)Coerced by context,bare nouns can also have the gradable feature.(4)When“X de bu neng zai X”structure express non-continuative meaning,“X”can only be verbs which possess atelic and durative semantic features.Besides semantic features, this thesis formalizes the structure based on theory of Kennedy(2007b). It is concluded that “X de bu neng zai X” structure contains double comparisons. This first comparison is between “X” and the standard of comparison. The second comparison is between “X” and “zai X”.