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Article published In: Chinese Language and Discourse
Vol. 11:1 (2020) ► pp.55–83

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Usage, media, and grammaticalization

The rhetorical question ‘bu35shi51…ma’ in Mandarin Chinese

 | Ohio University
Published online: 3 June 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/cld.00024.tao
Abstract
This report presents a case study on a current grammatical change in a rhetorical question 不是…吗 (isn’t it the case…?) and its spreading from spoken Beijing Mandarin to Mandarin Chinese in general. The study addresses three interrelated issues that concern the development and spreading of this new pattern: (1) usage-based language variation and change in spoken Beijing Mandarin; (2) Socio-cultural factors that may have promoted the adaptation of the new pattern in Mandarin Chinese; and (3) the impact of media, which may enhance the rapid spreading of the pattern in China. The report offers another instance of usage as the main driving force leading to language variation and grammaticalization.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background, data and methodology
    • 2.1Data and Mandarin Chinese grammar pertaining to the present study
    • 2.2Variation and grammaticalization in Mandarin Chinese
      • 2.2.1Usage frequency
      • 2.2.2Chunking and fusion
      • 2.2.3Phono-syntactic conspiracy
      • 2.2.4Language changes in Beijing Mandarin and Chinese media
    • 2.3General discussion
  • 3.Grammaticalization in the process
    • 3.1The spreading of the new construction
      • 3.1.1Perception and interpretation of the rhotic /ɻ/
      • 3.1.2The impact of Beijing Mandarin on Putonghua
    • 3.2Possible ambiguity
    • 3.3Interim summary
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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