“最”义级层的多个体涵量

Multiple individuals in the rank of"zui X"

程度副词"最"是现代汉语里使用频率很高的一个词。一般以为,凡是称之为"最"的事物只能有一个,而且理所当然地总是位居第一。事实并非如此。"最X"形成一个"最"义级层。"最"义级层的涵量,对于所涵容的事物来说,不仅可以是单个体的,还可以是多个体的。本文首先从不同侧面对"最"义级层做综合性的考察,然后分别描述"最"义级层的多个体数量标示式、多个体并列标示式和多个体隐性总括式。文章末尾,讲几点总的认识。

'Zui' (the most), an adverb of degree, is very frequently used in modern Chinese. It is generally assumed that anything that can be regarded as 'zui' must be unique in number and take the leading place undoubtedly. Actually, 'zui X' represents a gradient rank of 'zui'. What is more, what is covered in the rank can be multiple or plural as well as singular or unique in number. The paper begins with an examination of 'zui X' in all dimensions, followed by a specific description of the paradigm of (1) quantifications, (2) co-ordinations and (3) covert generalizations of multiple individuals contained in the rank. A discussion of 'zui---zhi yi' (one of the most), 'zui zui'(most most) and 'di er zui X' (the second most) is in the fourth section of the paper.