Research on Discourse Functions and Related Grammatical Expressions: A Historical Review

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.321

Abstract

Abstract:

This paper reviews and comments on relevant research on the relationship between discourse functions and grammatical expressions. It focuses mainly on four theoretical issues to differentiate and discuss the important viewpoints in the relevant research, which can be roughly divided into two stages, from the 1960s to the 1990s, and from the 1990s to the present. First, with regard to prophase and anaphase, the change in the core concepts is reflected in the stronger awareness of identifying the descriptive category and the comparative concept. Second, with regard to the basic structures of discourse functions, it has gradually been realized that dichotomy or polysemy is not the primary reason for circularity. Third, by focusing on the acorresponding relationship between discourse functions and grammatical expressions, researchers have identified the multifunctionality of grammatical markers, which do not have a one-to-one correspondence with discourse functions. In addition to their multifunctional nature, discourse functions are expressed in diverse forms in the larger discourse environment via interactions with other relevant factors. Fourth, the status of clauses does not directly determine the discourse functions. These are mainly related to the distribution of the events in the subordinate clause and in the first clause, which do not only provide background information. It is also necessary to avoid circularity in this respect. Based on previous studies, we should strengthen the research on the diachronic evolution of the correspondence between discourse functions and grammatical expressions in Chinese.

Keywords: discourse functions; grammatical expressions; comparative concept; correspondence; multifunctionality

摘要：

以20世纪90年代为界，话语功能和相关语法形式的研究可以分为两个阶段。通过对以往研究的回顾和分析，本文梳理出了相关理论问题的历史脉络：（1）话语功能的核心概念从前景和背景过渡到事件主线和非事件主线，比较概念的意识更加清晰；（2）学界逐步意识到话语功能的二分或多分并非导致循环论证的根本原因；（3）研究者逐步认识到话语功能与语法形式之间并非一一对应，它们的关系具有多样性；（4）对于话语功能与小句地位的关系，研究者从决定论转向非决定论，逐渐发现分布在从属小句和首位小句的事件并不限于表达背景信息，因此小句地位不能直接决定话语功能。回顾以往研究，我们应该认识到，加强汉语话语功能与语法形式对应关系的历时演变研究具有重要意义。

关键词: 话语功能, 语法形式, 比较概念, 对应关系, 多功能性

CLC Number:

H0-06

Qiu Dejun, Chen Qianrui. Research on Discourse Functions and Related Grammatical Expressions: A Historical Review[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2021, 43(1): 80-95.

邱德君, 陈前瑞. 话语功能与相关语法形式研究的历史脉络[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2021, 43(1): 80-95.

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