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A relevance-theoretic account of the pragmatic marker ba in Mandarin Chinese

Ljungqvist, Marita LU (2010) In Journal of Chinese Linguistics 38(2). p.261-287
Abstract
This paper aims to present a proposal for a relevance-theoretic description of the use of the particle ba in Mandarin Chinese. The result of the analyses of the data shows that ba is a pragmatic marker with a similar function in declaratives, interrogatives and imperatives, i.e. to indicate hearer-oriented weak commitment towards either the proposition expressed (declaratives, interrogatives) or the speech act expressed (imperatives). The results also indicate that ba can be compared to tags such as English yeah, right? and innit? and that it is often used more generally to engage the hearer in the conversation and expressing politeness with no real intention of allowing for a response or confirmation from him/her.
Abstract (Swedish)
Abstract in Chinese

中文语用标记语"吧"的关联理论分析

Marita Ljungqvist

瑞典隆德大学



摘要

本文以关联理论为依据试图对汉语句末助词”吧”的用法进行全面的解释与分析。 结果表明，”吧” 在陈述句、疑问句与祈使句都具有类似的用法，即表示说话者面向听话者对自己表达的命题(陈述句、疑问句) 或言语行为(祈使句)之承诺。结果还表明”吧”有时同英文的像 yeah 、right 、innit 类似的所谓”tags” 的词语一样 起着鼓励听话者更积极/投入地参加会话的作用。 在这种语境里”吧”的出现表示礼貌而不一定意味着说话者要听话者回应或确认命题的真实价值。



关键词

句未助词、语用学、关联理论
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
discourse markers, pragmatics, Relevance Theory, Mandarin Chinese
in
Journal of Chinese Linguistics
volume
38
issue
2
pages
261 - 287
publisher
University of California
external identifiers
  • wos:000280317400003
  • scopus:77955327098
ISSN
0091-3723
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
08b4d003-e6c7-4175-8af2-e81caaa89c34 (old id 1482698)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 09:40:57
date last changed
2023-11-15 19:10:44
@article{08b4d003-e6c7-4175-8af2-e81caaa89c34,
  abstract     = {{This paper aims to present a proposal for a relevance-theoretic description of the use of the particle ba in Mandarin Chinese. The result of the analyses of the data shows that ba is a pragmatic marker with a similar function in declaratives, interrogatives and imperatives, i.e. to indicate hearer-oriented weak commitment towards either the proposition expressed (declaratives, interrogatives) or the speech act expressed (imperatives). The results also indicate that ba can be compared to tags such as English yeah, right? and innit? and that it is often used more generally to engage the hearer in the conversation and expressing politeness with no real intention of allowing for a response or confirmation from him/her.}},
  author       = {{Ljungqvist, Marita}},
  issn         = {{0091-3723}},
  keywords     = {{discourse markers; pragmatics; Relevance Theory; Mandarin Chinese}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{261--287}},
  publisher    = {{University of California}},
  series       = {{Journal of Chinese Linguistics}},
  title        = {{A relevance-theoretic account of the pragmatic marker ba in Mandarin Chinese}},
  volume       = {{38}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}