预指代词it的系统功能语言学研究

A systemic functional study of anticipatory it

人们对预指代词it的研究往往关注其作为代词语义意义的虚实,而没有全面考察它在句子中的语法意义及语篇意义等。本文认为it意义的虚实之争意义不大。要研究预指代词it,必须对其作全方位的分析。作者在系统功能语言学的理论框架下,对it在主语外位结构中的功能进行句法分析,发现it虽然在经验功能结构中不充当参与者角色,但它在人际功能和语篇功能中起着不可或缺的作用。本文由四部分组成,前两部分综述了有关研究。作者发现此前的研究主要讨论预指代词it在代词中的归属、其所指意义的虚实等问题,而没有涉及其意义的其它方面。第三部分在系统功能语法的框架下以外位结构中的it为例对其进行经验功能、人际功能及语篇功能分析,发现其意义主要表现在人际意义和语篇意义上。第四部分得出结论认为在系统功能语法框架下对预指代词it进行多功能分析有助于更全面、准确地把握预指代词it的意义和功能。

The present study aims at a systemic functional treatment of the anticipatory it in the extraposition construction. A review of literature shows that previous studies are largely concerned with the semantic categorization of anticipatory it as a kind of pronoun and its intangible referential force is left untreated. In this paper a systemic functional analysis is proposed of anticipatory it in terms of three metafunctions, i.e., experiential, interpersonal, and textual functions; and this multi-functional analysis sheds light on the meaning and function of the anticipatory it. For example, although it has no role to play in the experiential function, it is of vital importance to the interpersonal and textual functions of the construction.