Studies On Chinese Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability

The research of this paper is a category of Modality Adverbs——Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability. This paper is divided into"Location and Distribution","Co-occurrence and collocation"and"Expression and Function"of three parts.Before the research, we confirmed the semantic framework of Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability: A. The reason of the event; B. The indispensability of the event; C. The consequences if the event did not happen.Based of the semantic framework, we choose the typical members"必须","务必","千万","万万"to study.1. Location and DistributionFirst of all, we study the sentence pattern of these adverbs. NP+"必要"+VP is the conventional location, but there are some restrictions on predicates. Among this,"必须"minimize the restrictions on predicate. Predicates in"务必"sentences usually are telescopic phrase and union phrase. When monosyllabic verbs as the predicates after"千万", they must be in the negative form."万万"often constitutes negative forms with the psychological verb. Only"必须"can be used in"必要"+NP +VP with a different semantic point. Different from other type of modality adverb, Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability can make extensive use of non-subject implied in the context, which reflects a semantic feature of [+command].Secondly, on sentence patterns,"必须"and"务必"can only be used in affirmative declarative sentence."万万"can only be used in negative declarative sentence. Only"必须"can be used in question sentence, and in this condition, the speaker is more inclined to get a negative answer.2. Co-occurrence and collocationWhen co-occurrence together with the conjunction, Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability often be used in necessary condition sentences, constitute two patterns of sentences: forward inference"必要类p,才q"and backward inference"必要类p,否则/要不然q". Forward inference"必要类p,才q"can be changed to"必要类p,(只有)这样才q", which often used by"千万". The function of Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability in forward inference is to stress conditions clause and strengthen the need to satisfy the conditions p. Backward inference is the evidence to the contrary by the consequences of the conditions q clause p, that p has a decisive impact and the adverbs emphasize this. Only"必须"can be used in sufficient condition sentences, which forms"只要p,(就)必须q". We believe that this is due to"必须"not only can identified the need for subjective, but also can identified necessity and limitations required by the objective laws.On collocation with other modality adverbs, we found something imbalance:"必须"is the best combination of capacity,"务必"is the weakest. In most cases, Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability usually locate in final order, but"千万"has more flexible position. We analyze the reason of order from jurisdiction, the subjective degree, coherence and highlights these four aspects.3. Expression and FunctionThis chapter we recalled the differences between the four members of Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability and compared them from two points of view in semantic and subjective quantity. In particular, we made a in-depth analysis on semantic of"必须"and the difference between"千万"and"万万"in negative sentences. We found it is a unique feature that"必须"not only can identify the need for subjective, but also can identify necessity and limitations required by the objective laws. In addition,"千万"and"万万"can not constitute the same negative format,"千万"can not enter"没(有)+VP"and"不+V不得", and"万万"can not be used in"别+VP". From these we find,"万万"can express more richer tones than"千万". In addition to express prohibition as"万万", but also express reluctance to do something, something not possible, as well as the tone of surprise.In the end of this chapter, we summarized the pragmatic functions of Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability. Refer to the theory of Qi Huyang(2003), we analyzed from three areas of interpretation, evaluation and emphasis. First of all, in interpretation, this type of adverbs do not have high-level expression function, but it remains a high-level predicate and present the entire proposition. Secondly, this type of adverbs has a communication function, which means the speaker's attitude to the proposition. Finally, Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability has the function of positive direction emphasis.This paper described and analyzed the syntax, semantics, pragmatic features of Modality Adverbs Denoting Indispensability, as well as the differences between the four words. We hope the conclusions can improve the study of modality adverbs in modern Chinese and the teaching practice in Chinese as a foreign language.