Abstract:
Based on the theory of conceptual polarity and information structure, this paper reveals the interactive relationship between the information structure characteristics of "
huaiyi(怀疑)" sentences and the sense distribution of "
huaiyi", together with its meaning construal.Firstly, by using interrogative pronouns to ask questions and adding synonymic components, this paper points out and verifies that the information structure characteristics of "
huaiyi" sentences can often influence and restrict the sense distribution of "
huaiyi", which is manifested as, "
huaiyi1" matched with the definite and highly accessible object (old information), which can be asked with "
shenme (什么)" or
"shui (谁)" and then add synonymic components; However, "
huaiyi2" matched with the unknown, declarative possible state(new information), which can only be asked with "
zenmeyang(怎么样)", and no synonymic component can be added afterwards.The paper also points out that this information structure characteristics of "
huaiyi" sentences often restrict and urge the hearer to adopt the principle of "to disbelieve the real and to believe the void" to understand the two different meanings of "
huaiyi".This conventional pragmatic principle, which is based on conceptual polarity, has a remarkable effect on construing the meaning of "
huaiyi".In addition, from the perspective of information structure and the principle of "to disbelieve the real and to believe the void", it can better explain a series of related phenomena such as the English-Chinese translation of "
huaiyi" sentences and the difficult problems existing in previous studies.