The present paper investigates the relationship between form(morpho-syntax)and function(semantic interpretation)as involved in the expression of countability in the Chinese whpronoun system.We focus on three wh-pronou...The present paper investigates the relationship between form(morpho-syntax)and function(semantic interpretation)as involved in the expression of countability in the Chinese whpronoun system.We focus on three wh-pronouns:duo-shao‘much-little’,duo-shao-ge‘much-little-Classifier’,and ji-ge‘how many-Classifier’.Based on the examination of the interpretation and distribution of these wh-phrases in three distinct linguistic contexts(questions,bare conditionals,and negative statements),we generalize that while duo-shao functions as an indeterminate determiner,duo-shao-ge and ji-ge function as two count determiners.This generalization invites the conclusion that the morpho-syntax of these whphrases,particularly,the presence/absence of a classifi er,determines and shapes their semantic interpretation in countability.From a more general perspective,the present study suggests that a linguistic form determines its own linguistic functions.展开更多
基金funded by the Post-doctoral Science Foundation of China(2014M561702)the Distinguished Post-doctoral Science Foundation of China(2015T80574)+1 种基金the Young Scholars Social Science Foundation of China’s Education Ministry(15YJC740031)the Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(2014SJB519)
文摘The present paper investigates the relationship between form(morpho-syntax)and function(semantic interpretation)as involved in the expression of countability in the Chinese whpronoun system.We focus on three wh-pronouns:duo-shao‘much-little’,duo-shao-ge‘much-little-Classifier’,and ji-ge‘how many-Classifier’.Based on the examination of the interpretation and distribution of these wh-phrases in three distinct linguistic contexts(questions,bare conditionals,and negative statements),we generalize that while duo-shao functions as an indeterminate determiner,duo-shao-ge and ji-ge function as two count determiners.This generalization invites the conclusion that the morpho-syntax of these whphrases,particularly,the presence/absence of a classifi er,determines and shapes their semantic interpretation in countability.From a more general perspective,the present study suggests that a linguistic form determines its own linguistic functions.
