On the Distribution and Meaning Construal of Huaiyi (怀疑) Under the Theory of Information Structure and Conceptual Polarity

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.