An Examination Of The Function Of Modern Chinese And Sentence Texts

From the view of discourse, this article researches similarities and differences in inter-sentence semantic relations and componentic semantic relations on five kinds of pivotal sentences. Moreover, this article also contrasts cohesive devices of NP and VP, so as to make a further explanation on discourse function of pivotal sentences.This article is divided into three chapters:Chapter one researches the discourse distribution of pivotal sentences in four kinds of discourses. Besides, it also analyzes the reasons. Study shows that there are some differences in the occurrence frequency of five kinds pivotal sentences. The occurrence frequency of Imperative Pivotal Sentences is:the review discourse>the dialogue discourse>the explanation discourse >the narrative discourse; the occurrence frequency of Affirmation Pivotal Sentences is: the review discourse>the explanation discourse>the dialogue discourse>the narrative discourse;the occurrence frequency of Emotional Pivotal Sentences is:the review discourse>the dialogue discourse>the narrative discourse>the explanation discourse; the occurrence frequency of Having Pivotal Sentences is:the review discourse>the narrative discourse>the dialogue discours>the explanation discourse; the occurrence frequency of Delivery Pivotal Sentences is:the narrative discours>the review discours>the dialogue discours>the explanation discourse. Different discourses choose different kinds of pivotal sentence. It is not only influenced by the semantic relations of pivotal sentences, but also restrained by discourse types.Chapter two researches semantic relations of pivotal sentences. There are many similarities in inter-sentence rhetoric relations. Five kinds of pivotal sentences can represent narration relationship. However, there are some differences.Each kind of pivotal sentences has its unique rhetoric realtions. Imperative Pivotal Sentences and Having Pivotal Sentences can represent result relationship frequently; Besides, Having Pivotal Sentences represents elaboration relationship; Delivery Pivotal Sentences represent objective relationship more frequently; Emotional Pivotal Sentences and Affirmation Pivotal Sentences represent narration relationship frequently. While NP1 in Having Pivotal Sentences tend to be non-referential, NP2 are mostly indefinite. Differing from Having Pivotal Sentences, NP1 in other four types of pivotal sentences tends to be generic in the review discourse and the explanation discourse, but specific in the dialogue discourse and the narrative discourse. So is NP2.Chapter three researches the cohesive devices of NP and the discourse function of VP2. NP1 in the other four types is more likely to be anaphoric and less likely cataphoric. However, NP1 in Having Pivotal Sentences is neither anaphoric nor cataphoric. Nor is NP2. It has some relationship with NP's cohesive devices and reference types. VP2s in different Pivotal Sentences have different forms. From the cognitive perspective, VP2 not only can express 'reason-result' connection, but can express purposal connection and sequential connection as well.