The Entropy-Based Game Function of shizai (“really”) in Speech Act Conditionals

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.634

Abstract

Abstract:

This paper analyzes the emphatic function and pragmatic value of shizai (“really”) in speech act conditionals from an information-game-theoretic perspective. Through its veridical meaning, shizai implicates exhaustivity. In the antecedent of a conditional, it raises a new question, namely, how one should respond when all available means have been exhausted yet still prove ineffective. Raising this question increases the uncertainty concerning the consequent and makes it harder to predict. The consequent then provides a final solution, thereby removing the uncertainty brought about by the antecedent. Compared with conditionals without shizai, those containing shizai answer an additional question and contribute at least one extra bit of information. Speakers increase the informativeness of speech act conditionals in order to achieve either self-interested or altruistic pragmatic goals. The pragmatic appropriateness of shizai in speech act conditionals depends on game-theoretic payoffs. Its use in such conditionals reflects the speaker’s pragmatic strategy of obtaining higher payoffs through entropy reduction.

Keywords: speech act conditionals; information entropy; entropy game; veridicality

摘要：

本文从信息博弈论的角度，分析了“实在”一词在言语行为条件句中的强调功能和语用价值。该词以保真义寓含穷尽义，在条件句的前件提出一个新问题，即当穷尽所有方法依然无济于事时应该如何应对。这一新问题的提出增加了后件的不确定性以及预测难度。后件提出一个最终解决方案，以此解除前件所带来的不确定性。与不含“实在”的条件句相比，含有“实在”的条件句解答了一个新问题，至少追加了1比特的信息量。讲话人之所以加强言语行为条件句的信息度，是为了实现利己或利他的语用目的。“实在”在言语行为条件句中的语用适切性取决于博弈支付，其在言语行为条件句中的用法体现了讲话人通过降熵获得较高支付的语用策略。

关键词: 言语行为条件句, 信息熵, 以熵博弈, 保真

CLC Number:

H030

Jiang Yong, Hou Yanan. The Entropy-Based Game Function of shizai (“really”) in Speech Act Conditionals[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2026, 48(2): 1-19.

蒋勇, 侯亚男. “实在”在言语行为条件句中的以熵博弈功能[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2026, 48(2): 1-19.

Figures/Tables 3

References 61

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