The Syntax of Two Approximatives in Cantonese: Discontinuous Constructions Formed with zai6
粤语两个表示近似意义副词的句法分析：由 “滞” 形成的框式结构
Sze-Wing Tang 邓思颖

Abstract 摘要
This paper examines various grammatical properties of two postverbal approximative adverbs in Cantonese, viz mat1zai6 and gam3zai6 and the discontinuous constructions they constitute. Mat1zai6 is used to describe the frequency or degree denoted by the predicate in negative form while gam3zai6 focuses on the process approaching the endpoint of the event. Both of them are heads projected above the predicate underlyingly and their occurrence in the sentence-final position is a result of movement of the entire predicate step by step on the surface. Postverbal and preverbal adverbs form discontinuous adverbial phrases in Cantonese, which can be stacked and should be in a strict hierarchical order in the clausal structure. The findings of this paper may shed light on the syntax of Cantonese postverbal adverbs and the theory of discontinuous construction.

本文探讨粤语两个表示近似意义的后置副词“乜滞”和“咁滞”的语法特点，以及它们所组成的框式结构的句法分析。本文认为“乜滞”用来修饰有否定词的谓语所表示的动作次数和程度，而“咁滞”强调迈向事件自然终结点的过程。这两个词原本都是位于动词短语之上的中心语，不过由于谓语逐步移位的关系，出现在句末的位置。后置副词和前置副词组成框式副词短语，这种短语在句子里可以重迭，并且高低有序。本文的发现对粤语后置副词的句法研究和框式结构的理论应该有一定的参考价值。

Keywords 关键词

Cantonese 粤语 Syntax 句法学 Adverbs 副词 Discontinuous construction 框式结构 Analyticity 分析性

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