粤语自然会话中“即係”的话语功能及其标记化

The Functions of “Zikhai(即係)” in Cantonese Conversation and Its Grammaticalization

文章对粤语中通常认为系词之一的"即係"(zikhai)在自然会话中的功能进行了描述。作者用会话分析的方法对3个共计78分钟的日常会话中所发现的246个含zikhai的会话片段一一作了分析,发现zikhai在粤语词典通常定义的两个语法功能——作系动词或者语篇连接词——在会话中很少见,而常见的是另三种会话功能:解释说明标记、修补标记和停顿填充词。换言之,会话交际中,zikhai已经超越了该词原来的语义范畴,扩展为一个组织、构造话轮的话语标记。zikhai的功能扩展说明了语义扩展和语法化的发生。根据不同功能之间的关联,本文还描绘了zikhai的标记化途径。

In this paper we describe the functions of the Cantonese copular expression ＂zikhai（即係）＂, and explain its expanded functions found in Cantonese talk-in-interaction as a result of gram- maticalization. Our analysis of 244 instances of ＂zikhai＂ found in three conversations totalling about 78 minutes shows that ＂zikhai＂ has taken on at least three interactional functions.., as a resumption marker, a repair initiator or a pause-filler/floor-holder……in addition to the two functions listed in the dictionaries which are still in use but to a much less frequent extent. We hold that the ＇interactional’＂zikhai＂ goes beyond the word＇s original semantic scope and its function is expanded to include an ac- tive role in the organization of turns and TCUs. The range of the functions of ＂zikhai＂ in conversa- tions as identified above indicates semantic changes and grammaticalization of the word.