An Analysis Of Reference And Referential Choice In Chinese Narrative Discourse

This dissertation analyzes reference and referential choice in Chinese narrative discourse from four perspectives: a syntactic perspective, a semantic perspective, a pragmatic perspective and a cognitive perspective. Based on the data chosen from Chinese literature works, the author uses a statistical method and an empirical method to discuss the findings. This study shows that reference and referential choice are mainly manifested in four aspects. Syntactically, reference can be explained in the binding theory put forward by the generative grammarian Noam Chomsky. Semantically, reference is manifested in lexical meaning as well as truth-value of sentences. Pragmatically, reference is considered hand in hand with speaker's intention, hearer's understanding, situational context as well as language itself. Cognitively, reference can be studied along with information processing of human mind. There are different theories respectively. Statistical data and findings show that reference and the choice of referring expressions work well in these four aspects in Chinese narrative discourse. Large quantities of examples given, the author proves that reference and referential choice in Chinese language are manifested respectively in syntactic, semantic, pragmatic and cognitive aspects. Therefore, we can still draw a conclusion that because of the dynamic nature of reference, we can study reference from different perspectives. Further studies are required into each of the four aspects in order to gain greater insight into referential choice in Chinese language.This dissertation is composed of five parts. Chapter 1 is introduction, including research background and research orientation. Chapter 2 is a theoretical analysis of reference and referential choice in four aspects: syntactic, semantic, pragmatic and cognitive aspects. Chapter 3 is a case study of the data chosen, including the source of the data, the statistical method and the general statistical information of the findings. Chapter 4 is the discussion for the study, stating that reference and referential choice in Chinese narrative discourse are manifested syntactically, semantically, pragmatically and cognitively by using large quantities of examples. Chapter 5 is conclusion of the dissertation, pointing out the dynamic nature of reference, limitations of my study and implications of my study.