汉语话题结构的类型新议

A Typologically-Oriented Classification of Topic Constructions in Chinese

基于对相关理论问题的深入思考,本文更为细致地划分了汉语话题结构的类型。(1)左边缘话题句分为话题化、左偏置、汉语式和论元分裂式话题结构。左偏置话题也能和附接语的成分共指,汉语式话题须与隐含性空成分共指,分裂式话题也能和形式主宾语构成组合关系。(2)右边缘话题句包括各类左边缘话题句的镜像形式。(3)中置话题句含受事类、拷贝式、分裂式及状语的中置话题化。(4)左、右边缘话题句的述题都可嵌有左置或中置话题结构,左、右边缘都能出现不止一个话题。(5)述题主谓结构还会因形义错配而衍生出更多话题句类型。汉语话题句的类型远比英语丰富,话题结构的优先性代表着汉英句法的重要区别。

This article classifies Chinese topic constructions in a more fine-grained way,based on new insights concerning relevant theoretical controversies.First,it looks at left-peripheral topic constructions,which comprise topicalization,left dislocation,Chinese-style and argument-splitting topic structures.It is shown that there can also be co-reference between left-dislocated topics and possessive modifiers within adjuncts and between Chinese-style topics and hidden contents in comments.In addition,it is demonstrated that argument-splitting topics are able to combine with formal subjects or objects if they are placed there.Next,mirror images of the four types of left-peripheral topic construction are shown to constitute right-peripheral topic constructions.Crucially,it is then argued that centrally-positioned topics include various types like patient-type,copying-type,splitting-type and adverbial-type.Moreover,a left-peripheral or centrally-positioned topic construction can also be embedded in the comment of another left-or right-peripheral topic construction.At the same time,it is possible that both left and right peripheries can hold more than one topic.Finally,it is shown that within comments,form-meaning mismatches might occur as regards subject-predicate structures,which yields many more types of topic construction.Arguably then,the typology of topic constructions in Chinese far exceeds the options that exist in English.In this respect,the prominence and intricacy of Chinese topic constructions represents a significant difference between Chinese and English syntax.