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Article published In: International Journal of Chinese Linguistics
Vol. 12:1 (2025) ► pp.1–37

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Three yěs in Mandarin

ORCiD logo with link | Leiden University
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Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Open Access publication of this article was funded through a Transformative Agreement with Leiden University.

Published online: 10 June 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ijchl.00033.yan
Abstract
This paper argues that different from the focus use of the additive particle yě ‘also’, the yěs in its scalar use and modal use should be analyzed as distinct linguistic elements, indicating the existence of three different yěs in Mandarin. We aim to demonstrate that the semantic differences among the three uses arise from the unique presupposition inherent in each, dictating distinct relationships between the prejacent and the activated alternative(s). Expanding upon this premise, we further demonstrate that the three yěs are positioned differently within the syntactic structure. Specifically, Additive yě functions as an IP adverb; Scalar yě, serving as the functional head of the Scal(arity)P, occupies a position higher in the CP; Modal yě is situated even higher than the projection of evidential adverbs. Additionally, we also discuss the restricted interchangeability and cooccurrence between Scalar yě and dōu. Drawing on these observations, our research presents a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted nature of the Mandarin particle yě.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The semantics of the three yěs
    • 2.1Additive yě with an additivity presupposition
    • 2.2Scalar yě with a scalarity presupposition
      • 2.2.1Instances with a lexical scale
      • 2.2.2Instances with a “strong NPI”-type scale
      • 2.2.3Instances with a pragmatic scale
      • 2.2.4Scale, stress, and domain widening
    • 2.3Modal yě with a concessivity presupposition
    • 2.4Summary
  • 3.The syntax positions of the three yěs
    • 3.1The position of additive yě
    • 3.2The position of Scalar yě
    • 3.3The position of Modal yě
  • 4.Scalar yě as a functional head
    • 4.1The ScalP
    • 4.2Interchangeability and cooccurrence between Scalar yě and dōu
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments
  • Notes
  • References
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