Journal of Foreign Languages

Journal of Foreign Languages ›› 2024, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (2): 50-59.

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Rhetorical Markers and Background Propositions

Zhijun LU1,Dingxu SHI2   

  1. 1. School of Foreign Languages，Guangdong University of Technology，Guangzhou 510006，China
    2. Center for Linguistics & Applied Linguistics，Guangdong University of Foreign Studies，Guangzhou 510420，China
  • Received:2022-07-14 Online:2024-03-20 Published:2024-03-25

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Abstract:

This thesis attempts to explain the mismatch between the structural form and its deep expression exhibited by na rhetorical questions from the syntax-semantic interface. The speaker uses the na rhetorical question in conversation to express the mirativity toward the background proposition of the question, and then uses the local proposition to express the illocutionary negative assertion. The syntactic environment (intonational yes-no questions) of na rhetorical questions expresses the interrogative force, but the na rhetorical questions express the illocutionary negative assertion. The lexical factor of this force shift is na’s strong negative polarity, but its syntactic factor is the three dependencies triggered by na’s strong negative polarity: de-Q operation, covert movement and illocutionary negative assertion.

Key words: na, rhetorical marker, background proposition, strong negative polarity, illocutionary negative assertion

CLC Number: 

  • H030

"

背景命题p=λw：我有工夫看小说 in w
本句命题?p：我没有工夫看小说
“哪”的言外语力1.FALSUM(p)
2. 将?p 纳入 CG
3. ts ∈TARGET(tl)
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