A relevance-theoretic analysis of the pragmatic marker ba in Mandarin Chinese
中文语用标记语"吧"的关联理论分析
Marita Ljungqvist
Abstract 摘要
This paper aims to present a proposal for a relevance-theoretic description of the use of the particle ba in Mandarin Chinese. The result of the analyses of
the data shows that ba is a pragmatic marker with a similar function in declaratives, interrogatives and imperatives, i.e. to indicate hearer-oriented weak
commitment towards either the proposition expressed (declaratives, interrogatives) or the speech act expressed (imperatives). The results also indicate that
ba can be compared to tags such as English yeah, right? and innit? and that it is often used more generally to engage the hearer in the conversation and
expressing politeness with no real intention of allowing for a response or confirmation from him/her.
Keywords 关键词
Sentence-final particles 句未助词 Pragmatics 语用学 Relevance Theory 关联理论
Journal of Chinese Linguistics volume 38 (ISSN 0091-3723)
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