The Semantics Of “Hái” And “Gèng” In Chinese Comparative Structure

Lu Jianming(1980)first puts forward the studies of “hái” and “gèng”.Lu focuses on the similarities and differences based on the structure “x b? y [ ] W”.Lu thinks that both of them have the semantic meaning of degree increase.The difference lies on “gèng” means progressive development while “hái” means transitional change.Based on Lu,the studies of “hái” and “gèng” in comparative structure based on three aspects.First,semantics of “hái” and “gèng”.Second,different presuppositions.Yin Zhiping(1995),Shen Jiauxan(2001)and L? Shuxiang(2005)think that they have the same presupposition: y has the property of W to some degree in comparative structure.However,Zong Shouyun(2011)believes that they are different since the presupposition of “hái” is “x b? y W is not expected”.Thirdly,different subjectivity.Zong Shouyun(2011)points put that the subjectivity of “hái”is stronger than “gèng” while Wen Quanmin(2008)thinks that only “hái” has subjectivity.Yet,studies on “hái” and “gèng” are not comprehensive and there still exists disparity.By studying the semantics of “hái” and “gèng”,the thesis argues that “hái”is a scalar operator and “gèng” functions as a comparative morpheme.Besides,tested by presupposition family,the thesis proves that “hái” and “gèng” have the same presupposition,that is,y has the property of W to some degree.Thirdly,the thesis explains that “hái” is compatible with measure phrase and provides basis for the future study of “gèng” which is incompatible with measure phrase.Based on the study of semantics of “hái” and “gèng”,the different distribution of them is captured and it enriches the study of “hái” and “gèng” in comparative structure.