汉语名量结构语序变化及其动因

The Change in Word Order of Constructions Related to Classifiers and Its Causes

汉语名量结构从以"名+数+量"为主流转变为"数+量+名"为主流,这一变化发生在公元四至六世纪。汉语内部演变可能是该语序变化的主要诱因,这一诱因可能是量词范畴的出现;但如果没有外力的影响,这一变化应当是较为缓慢、均衡的。此期名量结构语序发生较为迅疾的变化,其动因应是公元三世纪以后汉语与北方阿尔泰语及古代佛典语言之间较大规模的、持续的语言接触。

The obligatory word order in constructions related to classifiers in Middle Chinese changed from N+Num+CL/MW to Num+CL/MW+N around 4th to 6th century. This might be a result of the establishment of classifier category in Middle Chinese. Considering that the order of Num+CL and nouns changed rapidly in a relatively short time, the language contact between Chinese and languages of northern ethnic and Buddhist scriptures might be the reason for such acceleration in the word order change.