关于“就”和“才”若干问题的解释

On Some Problems about Jiu and Cai in Mandarin Chinese

"X就Y了"结构表现"低X就高Y"是有条件的,一是量变化为单向,二是句尾的"了2"。如果量的变化是可控的、可能双向的,离开语境,该结构就有歧义,其主观量不确定。数量词在"就"结构中是触发并吸引"就"主观量功能的最敏感的成分。在"就"前后均有数量成分的结构中,重音所在数量成分吸引"就"的主观量功能。"就"的核心功能是限定空间,最简结构为未实现体,具有积极意义;"才"的核心功能是限定时间,最简结构为实现体,具有消极意义。"才"的用法从限定动词逐渐扩展到限定数量词,表示小量。再扩展到后置于数量词反训为表示大量。"才"的前后分别出现可对比单位,则遵守"高X才低Y"规则。本文研究进一步证明,在形态匮乏的语言中,语序是一种广义句法形态,同时也进一步证明了汉语作为一种语境强依赖型语言的基本特征。

Abstract The construction ＂X jiu Y le＂ expresses ＂small X jiu large Y＂ is condition- al： on the one hand, the change of quantity of X and Y must be unidirectional; on the other hand the use of ＂le2＂ is required. When the change of quantity is controllable, i.e. it can either increase or decrease, the construction will be ambiguous without context and the speak- er＇s subjective view of quantity will be uncertain. In a construction with jiu, the quantifier is the most sensible constituent attracting jiu and activating the function of expressing the speakers＇ subjective view of quantity. In those constructions with quantitative elements before and after jiu, the stressed quantifier has the property of attracting jiu of expressing subjective view of quantity. The essential function of jiu is to define space. The simplest structure with jiu is unrealized in aspect, having a positive semantic orientation. The essen- tial function of cai is to define time. The simplest structure with cai is realized in aspect,having a negative semantic orientation. Cai is first used to define verbs and then gradually extends its use to constraining quantifiers that express relative small quantity. Cai after quantifiers expressing relative large quantity by means of enantiosemy is a later usage. If contrastive elements occur before and after cai, the rule of ＂large X cai small Y＂ will be ap- plied.