Expressions Of Modality In Mandarin Chinese

This thesis examines expressions of modality in Mandarin Chinese to provide foreign learners of Mandarin Chinese with a comprehensive framework.With this aim,a study into the use of modal particles by native speakers of Chinese was conducted;twelve participants were asked to retell well-known Chinese traditional stories.Their renditions were recorded and transcribed.The thesis consists of the theoretical and practical parts in three parts.The first part introduces Mandarin Chinese,differentiates between modality and mood and explores issues connected with particles.The second part is devoted to presenting selected modal particles(i.e.吧 ba,啊 a and its variants,呢ne,了le and 嘛ma).Furthermore,the third part comprises of methodology as well as quantitative and qualitative analyses.Data collected for the study is analysed,including the following particles:吧ba,啊a,呀ya,啦la,哪na,呢ne,嘛 ma,哈ha;conclusions are drawn.The study showed a necessity for more research into modal particles in Mandarin Chinese in the English-speaking academia.Some particles,such as 哈 ha,are underrepresented in literature;this thesis makes an attempt at exploring their use and modalities they can be marked for.Modal particles might be a difficult concept to grasp for foreign learners of Mandarin Chinese;this thesis might help them begin to understand and appreciate their wealth and complexity.