“早就”的功能特征及成词过程考察

An Investigation on the Functional Features and Word Formation Processes of“Zaojiu(早就)”

“早就”是现代汉语中常用的时间副词,因搭配的动词短语情状类型的差异,在不同语境中表现出不定时时间副词、定时时间副词和谓语评注性副词三种不同的功能。其中,在“早就+VP_([达成])”语境中,“早就”的功能是凸显事件成真的可能性,是表动力意愿的谓语评注性副词。“早就”和“早已”的功能和用法虽然相近但也有差别:“早就”比“早已”的主观性更强,更倾向于使用在非现实语境和言者主语语境;“早就”重在动力情态意义而“早已”重在强化动作的程度义。从“早就”的共时特征反观“早就”的历时发展:当时间副词并列结构“早+就”与达成情状动词短语组合时,“早+就”结构整体脱离时体意义,在语境中重新分析为表动力情态意义的谓语评注副词。

“Zaojiu(早就)”is a commonly used temporal adverb in modern Chinese,which exhibits three different functions,namely,untimed temporal adverb,timed temporal adverb,and critical adverbs,depending on the type of verb phrases with which it is paired,in the context of“Zaojiu+VP[achievement]”,the function of“Zaojiu”is to highlight the possibility of the event coming true,and its nature is a critical adverb indicating the dynamic volitive.The functions and uses of“Zaojiu”and“Zaoyi(早已)”are similar but different:“Zaojiu”is more subjective than“Zaoyi”and tends to be used in non-realistic and speaker-subjective contexts;“Zaojiu”focuses on motivating modal meaning whereas“Zaoyi”focuses on reinforcing the degree of the action.The diachronic development of“Zaojiu”is reflected in the synchronic character of“Zaojiu”:when the temporal adverbial parallel structure“Zao(早)+Jiu(就)”is combined with a modal verb phrase,the structure as a whole is detached from the temporal sense and is reanalyzed in the context as an adverbial of critical with a dynamic modality.