Abstract
There are some changes in the semantics of adjoining adverbs, especially when two adverbs appear adjacently to each other. Although in most cases, the overall semantics of the two adjacent adverbs is the simple addition of the semantics of these two adverbs, however, there are still many cases where the semantics of the two adjacent adverbs are strengthened at the same time or the semantics of one of the adverbs are highlighted or weakened. This paper summarizes the characteristics of semantic changes of adjoining adverbs in large-scale corpus. Summarizing the adverb word list on the basis of full investigation of related work. Then the adverbs are classified according to their semantics. Finally, the examples are extracted from the big data according to the occurrence of adjacent adverbs. Based on the data, the paper summarizes three characteristics of semantic change of two adverbs when they appear adjacently to each other: semantic addition, semantic enhancement and semantic highlighting, and the corresponding distributions are listed.
This research is supported by the National Social Science Foundation’s key project “The Construction and Application of Chinese Language Block Database in the Background of Big Data” (Approval No. 16AYYY007) and the Beijing Language and Culture University’s Graduate Innovation Fund “The Semantic Study of Adjoining Adverbs in Modern Chinese Based on Big Data” (Approval No. 19YCX120). In addition, Mr. Chunhong Shi has also given many valuable suggestions. I would like to express my sincere thanks.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Beijing: Dictionary Editorial Room, Institute of Linguistics, M. 2016. Modern Chinese dictionary, 7th ed. Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Dandan Quan, J. 2005. A multiangled study on linking degree adverb with negation adverb, vol. 7. Hunan Normal University.
Dexi Zhu, M. 1982. Lectures on grammar. Beijing: Commercial Press.
Ding Bai, J. 1986. Analysis of adjacent adverb. Journal of Central South University for Nationalities (Social Science Edition) 03: 55–61 + 53.
Jinsheng Shi, J. 2003a. On the scope, types, and order of sequential use of modal adverbs. Chinese Language 01: 17–31 + 94.
Jinsheng Shi, J. 2003b. On the categories and co-occurrence orders of manner adverbs. Studies in Language ang Linguistics 04: 1–9.
Liu, Yuehua, Wenyu Pan, and Wei Gu. 2014. Practical modern Chinese grammar (revision). Beijing: Commercial Press.
Jing Qian, J. 2005. Linking application of scope adverbs in Mandarin Chinese. Chinese Learning 02: 47–50.
Qingming Fang, J. 2012. An investigation of the frequency of adverbs in modern Chinese. Journal of Chinese Language 03: 87–93.
River Yellow, J. 1990. The sequence of common adjacent adverbs. Yu Ji, Beijing: Peking University Press.
Xiangang Lai, J. 1994. The question of adjacent adverbs. Chinese Learning 02: 25–31.
Xiaojun Pan, J. 2008. Co-use and co-occurrence of “slightly” adverbs. Journal of Yunnan Normal University (Teaching and Research Edition of Chinese as a Foreign Language) 6.
Xinfa Zhao, D. 2017. Investigation of the conjunction of degree adverbs. Shanghai Normal University.
Yiding Zhang, J. 1987. On the conjunction of Chinese adverbs. Language and Translation 01: 79–82.
Yisheng Zhang, J. 1996. Categories and co-occurrence order of adverbs. Journal of Yantai University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition) 02: 86–9420.
Yuanren Zhao, M. 1979. Oral Chinese grammar. Beijing: Business Press.
Yulin Yuan, J. 2002. Principles of word order and cognitive interpretation of multiple adverb conjunctions. Series of Linguistic Theories, vol. 26. Beijing: Commercial Press.
Zhang, Yisheng. 2000. Research on modern Chinese adverb. Shanghai: Xuelin Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Peking University Press
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Shao, T., Wang, C., Rao, G., Xun, E. (2020). The Semantic Change and Distribution of Adjoining Adverbs in Modern Chinese. In: Su, Q., Zhan, W. (eds) From Minimal Contrast to Meaning Construct. Frontiers in Chinese Linguistics, vol 9. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9240-6_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9240-6_11
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-32-9239-0
Online ISBN: 978-981-32-9240-6
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)