A Study On The Meaning Of The Final Mood Particle In Modern Chinese Sentences

In modern Chinese language, modal particles are one of the most important ways to reflect the mood or attitude of the addresser. According to its position in the sentence modal particles can be classified into two categories, namely, the one at the end and that in the middle of a sentence. This thesis presents the consideration that modal particles appearing at the end of a sentence can convey some mood, and the discussion on the meanings and functions expressed by those modal particles in different sorts of sentence types from the perspectives of semantics, pragmatics and cognitive linguistics (subjectivity), by research for modal particles that are frequently used in actual life, such as“a啊”,“ba吧”,“ne呢”,“ma吗”,“ma嘛”The thesis contains eight chapters. Chapter 1 is introductory one; Chapter 2 is the review of modern Chinese mood system and mood expression skills. Chapters from 3 to 7 are mainly about meaning analysis of sentence-end modal particles of“a啊”,“ba吧”,“ne呢”,“ma吗”,“ma嘛”Chapter 8 is conclusion. The primary contents of all chapters are summarized respectively in the following:Chapter 1 Introduction. Briefly introduced the issue of problems, Research objects and scope, Research Objectives and method, and the source of information or data.Chapter 2 remarks on modern Chinese mood system. Primarily three aspects are concerned:(1) The concept of mood and modality. An introduction of the western linguists’ and modern Chinese grammar scholars’ view toward mood and modality indicates similarities and differences between them and the reasons, then define the concept of mood of modern Chinese language. (2) Modern Chinese Mood System. This part briefly summarizes research achievements on Modern Chinese Mood System Mood System and introduces mood expression skills in Modern Chinese. (3) Modern Chinese modal particles. With prior research achievements, this part attempts to explain the name, property, classification, function and position of the Chinese modal particles. Chapter 3 is mainly about the meaning analysis of sentence-end modal particle“a啊”.“a啊”can be used at the end of declarative a sentence, interrogative sentence and an imperative sentence, the core meaning of which expresses the addressor’s anti-anticipation. Anti-anticipation means that the proposition in the“a啊”attached sentence is beyond the addressor’s expectation. Derive from the core meaning there are eight sub-meaning items. Most of the sentences ended with“a啊”express the addressor’s anti-anticipation and a strong demand for a response from the addressee. This demonstrates“a啊”indicates the highly subjective addressor. Yet“a啊”at the end of the declarative sentence with partial explanation or verbal behavior and of yes-no interrogative does not convey the meaning of the anti-anticipation. Therefore it reserves the certain meaning of demanding addressee’s response insinuated from anti-anticipation in Since the sentences end with“a啊”usually express the strong emotion of appreciation, astonishment, mockery, and exclamation, yet it is the reflection of combination of context and the core meaning of "a啊”,So“a啊”is not a sign of exclamation at all. It merely intent to express the view towards the content of a proposition or attitude of the addressee, and has nothing to do with the original meaning of the sentence itself. Therefore, sentence-end modal particle“a啊”indicates the attitude of the addressor toward the addressee or proposition while it also plays a role as an expression modal particle that has more intensive expressive function.Chapter 4 mainly discusses the meaning of the sentence-end modal particle“ba吧”which can be used in the end of declarative sentences, yes-or-no interrogations, and imperative sentences, the core meaning of which is’Uncertainty’. Specifically,“ba吧”refers to the uncertainty of the content of a proposition that requires confirmation from the addressor. There are four sub-meaning items derived from the core meaning. According to various context and the intention of addressor, the uncertainty of the addressor over his or her judgement is changed into that over his or her own act or demand, in this case the meaning of requiring confirmation then turns to the admission or agreement of the addressee. However“ba吧”at the end of an assertive statement does not mean the allowance or approval, only expresses a reluctant agreement of the addressor, since the uncertainty of the addressor aims at his or her own act it is impossible to ask an approval from the addressee. In general“ba吧”can not be used at the end of definite questions, yes-no interrogatives and alternative questions, but when it appears in the sentences above, it assumes imperative meaning and requests the addressee to respond, which emphasizes the mood. Therefore,“ba吧”,a sentence final modal particle, represents the attitude of the addressor and has the specific attitudinal functions in imperative sentencesChapter 5 mainly discusses the meaning of the sentence-endmodal particle“ne呢”which can be used in the end of all declarative sentences and interrogative sentences. The core meaning of which is mainly about the supply of information. Sentence-endmodal particle“ne呢”can be classified into“ne呢Ⅰ”and“ne呢Ⅱ”according to the object to which the information supply“ne呢Ⅰ”appearing at the end of declarative sentences and interrogative sentences indicates that the proposition is true, and usually co-exists with“hai还”,“cai才”and some other adverbs to express the Subjective attitude of the addressor“ne呢Ⅱ”appearing at the end of specific interrogations, alternative interrogations, A-not-A interrogations indicates that the addressor requires the addressee to provide the relevant information of the sentence. While“ne呢Ⅱ”merely emphasizes the mood of query and has no influence on generation of a interrogation. It just indicates that the addressor should have some realization of the relevant issues, meaning search or quest, it’s an inquiring modal particle not an interrogative one“ne呢Ⅰ”and“ne呢Ⅱ”are similar in that one provides information and also dissimilar in that the informer is different. However, Sentence-endmodal particle“ne呢”merely about the supply of information. So“ne呢”is different from "ba吧”,which can be used in imperative sentence cause there is no information supply in it. Therefore,“ne呢”is an ideographic modal particle.Chapter 6 mainly discusses the meaning of the sentence-end modal particle“ma吗”which is a typical interrogative modal particle. The core meaning of“ma吗”is Query, which refers to do not give out judgment to the proposition, and requires confirmation of the addressee. Generally, "ma吗" does not indicate the inclination of addressor, instead when co-exists with some specific sentence pattern or words.’‘不…吗”used in a rhetorical question means the addressor denies the proposition, while“对吗”、“是吗”、“不行吗”、focus marker“是”、“真(是)”convey the meaning of the affirmation or negation of the proposition。The inclination indicated in yes-no interrogatives ended with“ma吗”can be classified into five grades according to their certainty, yet the inclination depends on the sentence pattern and expressions since“ma吗”itself does not mean this. It merely indicates query. Whether the addressor indicates inclination or not, it requires the confirmation of the addressee. Therefore,“ma吗”is an ideographic modal particle.Chapter 7 mainly discusses the meaning of the sentence-end modal particle“ma嘛”which can be used in the end of declarative sentences, yes-or-no interrogations, specific interrogations and imperative sentences, the core meaning of which indicates the intimate relationship between speakers. There are three sub items derived from the core meaning. According to context and the intention of the speaker,“ma嘛”displays various tones including affirmative response, disapproval or sentiment while it basically alludes a friendly and cordial atmosphere. The imperative sentence ended with“ma嘛”indicates imperative reversion. Because It’s a phenomenon seldom appeared whether it is a degradable state or a wilful indulgence, so imperative sentences ended with“ma嘛”are always in small number. Sentence pattern“NP+嘛”possesses the implication of response that requires some logical power of the addressee to understand it well“ma嘛”in this type of sentence pattern indicates that NP is used to express a certain kind of explanation or judgment. Therefore,“ma嘛”is a commentary modal particle. Chapter 8 Conclusion. It is primarily to generalize the main content and viewpoints of the thesis, and points out the deficiency and subjects that need further exploration.