A systemic functional grammar of Chinese : a text-based analysis / Eden Sum-hung Li.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Li, Eden Sum-hung.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Chinese language--Grammar.

Chinese language.

Chinese language--Syntax.

Physical Description:

x, 279 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Continuum, 2007.

Summary:

This book presents an analysis of Chinese grammar from a systemic functional perspective. Its main focus is the clausal grammar of Chinese, and Dr Li provides a thorough analysis of Chinese clauses according to their constituent parts. Uniquely, the second half of the book extends this examination into an analysis of Chinese discourse and text analysis. In her foreword. Professor Fang Yan praises Dr Li's contribution to grammatical and semantic analysis, functional linguistics, and the study of the Chinese language. A Systemic Functional Grammar of Chinese provides the reader with an invaluable theoretical framework of grammar and discourse analysis from a systemic functional perspective.

Contents:

1 Historical and theoretical backgrounds 1

1.1 The history of the Chinese language 1

1.2 The history of the study of language in China 6

1.3 A brief introductory note to Systemic Functional Grammar 10

1.3.1 Semiotic system, stratification and realization 11

1.3.2 Language potential and instantiation 12

1.3.3 Modes of meaning in language 13

1.3.4 Rank, axis and delicacy 14

2 Building blocks: Below the clause 19

2.1 Morphemes, syllables and characters 19

2.2 Word classes 21

2.3 Verbal groups 21

2.3.1 Verbal premodifiers 21

2.3.2 Verbal postmodifiers 23

2.4 Nominal groups 24

2.4.1 Nominal Heads 25

2.4.2 Nominal premodifiers 25

2.5 Adverbial groups 29

2.5.1 Adverb as Head 29

2.5.2 Adjectival verb as Head 31

2.6 Coverbal phrases 32

2.6.1 Circumstantial type of coverbal phrases 32

2.6.2 Participant type of coverbal phrases 34

3 Construing experience: Clause as representation 37

3.1 Construing our experience: FIGURES 37

3.1.1 Construing the world of consciousness 41

3.1.2 Construing the world of symbolization 42

3.1.3 Construing the world of material reality 42

3.1.4 Construing the world of abstract relations 42

3.2 Realizing our experience in the grammar: Transitivity 43

3.2.1 Material processes 46

3.2.2 Relational processes 49

3.2.3 Verbal processes 54

3.2.4 Mental processes 57

3.3 Temporal profile 58

3.3.1 The system of Aspect 61

3.3.2 The system of Phase 63

3.3.3 Temporal adverbs 63

3.3.4 Relative sequence of verbal groups 64

3.4 Locative profile 65

4 Construing relationships: The natural logic of language 69

4.1 The natural logic of language 69

4.1.1 Relative order of reality among figures 70

4.1.2 Relative status among figures 72

4.2 Clause complexes 73

4.2.1 Taxis 76

4.2.2 Logico-semantic types 77

4.3 Linkage in a clause nexuses 97

4.3.1 Number of conjunctions in a clause nexus 98

4.3.2 Structures of a clause nexus 99

5 Enacting relationships: Clause as exchange 103

5.1 Enacting our social relationships: Speech Function 105

5.2 Realizing our social relationships in the grammar: Mood 111

5.2.1 Encoding speech functions: Mood Type 112

5.2.2 Negotiating the validity: Polarity 132

5.2.3 Evaluating the commitment and responsibility: Modality 134

5.2.4 Assessing the degree of forcefulness: Assessment 144

5.2.5 Enacting social relationships through bound clauses 153

6 Enabling discourse: Clause as message 159

6.1 Constructing messages: Textual Prominence and Textual Status 160

6.1.1 Textual prominences of an information chunk 160

6.1.2 Textual statuses of a message 163

6.2 Regulating the flow of information 1: Theme 170

6.2.1 Textual Theme 172

6.2.2 Interpersonal Theme 173

6.2.3 Topical Theme 176

6.3 Regulating the flow of information 2: Information 186

6.3.1 Information unit and structure 186

6.3.2 Contrasting parallel clauses 188

6.3.3 Emphatic particles 188

6.3.4 Wh-type interrogative elements 189

6.4 Regulating the flow of information 3: Voice 189

6.4.1 The ba-and bei-constructions and textual motivation 190

6.4.2 Voice and Theme 196

6.4.3 The system of Voice 198

6.4.4 Variants of the ba-and bei-constructions and the flow of Information 201

6.4.5 A short note on other aspects of the bei- and ba- constructions 206

7 Above the clause: Creation of texts 209

7.1 Identification and continuation of information: Textual Continuity 210

7.1.1 Recoverability of information 216

7.1.2 Source of information 217

7.1.3 Semantic relation between information 217

7.1.4 Other features 218

7.2 Grammatical realization of Textual Continuity: Cohesion 220

7.3 Continuity of messages: Textual Transition 224

7.3.1 The system of Logico-Semantic Types 225

7.3.2 The system of Conjunction 226

7.4 Guidance of unfolding text: Textual Development 228

7.4.1 Patterns of thematic selection in different text types 229

7.4.2 Patterns of thematic selection in the whole novel 237

7.4.3 Patterns of thematic progression 244

7.4.4 Logogenetic patterns of an unfolding text 256

Appendix 1 Systemic notation conventions 265.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [267]-275) and index.

ISBN:

0826491049

9780826491046

OCLC:

70676581