试论英语祈使句的语法化和主观化

On Grammaticalization and Subjectivisation of English Imperative

有学者主张祈使句的主语始终是第二人称,其谓语动词是陈述句现在时态第二人称的形式。这一观点受到了传统学者的反对,他们提出我们只说"Be careful!"而不说"Are careful!"由此,他们坚持主张祈使句谓语动词是原形形式。通过语法化和主观化的研究、分析,作者赞成前者的观点,指出在语法化和主观化的作用下,此类句型中的动词"Be"已由静态动词"Be(am/is/are)"转变为动态动词"Be",且固化为一个引导小品词,作为一个祈使标记,表现说话人的主观性。

Some scholars claim that the subject of any imperative is always in the second person, and its predicate verb form is also the same with the one in the second person of the declarative present tense. But this point is opposed by some traditional scholars, they put forward that we say ＂Be careful!＂ instead of ＂Are careful!＂, therefore, they persist in the opinion that the imperative verb form is in the original shape. By studying and analyzing the grammaticalization and subjectivisation, the writer agrees with the viewpoint of the former, and points out that the＂Be＇in such sentences is changed from the stative verb ＂Be （am / is / are）＂ to be a dynamic one ＂Be＂ by means of grammaticalization＇and subjectivisation, and the ＂Be＂ here is solidified to be an introductory particle, it represents the subjectivity of the speaker as an imperative marker.