英语存在句“确定性限制”的语用解释

A Pragmatic Account of the So-called “Definite Restriction" of ETS

本文从语用视角探讨有关英语存在句“实义主语”的确定性问题。文章从存在句“确定性限制”的定义问题出发,指出了“确定性”问题研究中将语法确定性和语用确定性分离的不足;在此基础上对“确定性”的定义进行了考证,阐述了“确定性”与“新信息”的关系,进而对“确定性”NP与存在句兼容现象提供了语用解释。结论认为,英语存在句“实义主语”既可以是“确定性的”,也可以是“非确定性的”,不存在所谓的“确定性限制”。

This paper explores the so-called “definite restriction' on existential- there sentences from a pragmatic perspective. The discussion starts with the definition of “definite restriction' and points out the weaknesses of separating grammatical definiteness from pragmatic definiteness in the field of study. It provides a pragmatic account of “definite restriction' by focusing on the relation of definiteness to new information in terms of anaphoric, cataphoric and exophoric references. It concludes that there does not exist the so-called “definite restriction' on ETS.