The Function Of The Interrogative Adverbs

The thesis investigates the function of the interrogative adverbs by means of the syntax, semantic and pragmatic description, and with the methods of replacement and ellipsis etc.Chapter One generally introduces the research that has already been accomplished, and confirms the range and method of the study of the thesis.Chapter Two describes the syntactic distribution of the interrogative adverbs such as "nandao"(难道)"qi"( "qiX" )("岂( "岂X")), "heX" ("何X") and so on, discusses the characteristics and differences of their syntactic function and semantic feature , involves the independent usages of certain interrogative adverbs , and investigates the collocation of interrogative adverbs with verbs and some modal particles respectively and the factors which might influence the collocation.Chapter Three illustrates the intimate relationship between the interrogative adverbs and the negative category. The interrogative adverbs are the active participants of the semantic negative transformation of the related interrogative sentences . According to the theory of markedness, the thesis makes explanation for the non-symmetric relation between affirmation and negation at syntax and semantic levels within the related interrogative sentences .Chapter Four investigates the pragmatic function of the interrogative adverbs. As for the function of information transmission. The interrogative adverbs are the new information of the related sentences. As for the function of discourse mark, the thesis discusses the problems of the ascertainment of the presupposition and the choice of the focus of the related interrogative sentences.