A Tentative Study of Degree Modification of Classifiers in Nominal Groups
This paper discusses the degree modification of classifiers in nominal groups from a Chinese perspective. It questions the validity of Hallidays idea that classifiers do not accept degrees of comparison or intensity and attempts to address that degree modification of classifiers in nominal groups is possible in modern Chinese. In this paper, we start with a brief introduction to Hallidays notion of classifiers in nominal groups. Then we examine a few examples in daily Chinese to support the argument, and provide a discussion of features of this type of nominal group, and justifications for this proposal from three perspectives: structure, function and social environment. Structurally, degree modification of classifiers is closely related to the phenomenon of nominal adjectives; functionally, proper use of this degree modification is very novel and attractive and can have very special pragmatic effects; and in terms of social environment, as the society changes, so the language evolves. Admittedly, what we have discussed in this study is far from complete. But we still learn that researchers should keep an alert eye on the latest development and appearance of language forms in all the languages.
classifiers degree modification nominal groups modern chinese nominal adjectives
LU Bizhen
Foreign Languages Department, Tsinghua University
国际会议
The 36th International Systemic Functional Congress(第36届国际系统功能语言学大会暨第十一届全国功能语言学研讨会ISFC36)
北京
英文
322-329
2009-07-14（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）