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In:Semantic-Pragmatic Change from Intersubjective to Textual Meanings
Edited by Giulio Scivoletto and Ryo Takamura
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 353] 2025
► pp. 129–152

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Chapter 5
Between intersubjectivity and textuality

On the connectives derived from prohibitives in Mandarin Chinese

Published online: 27 June 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/pbns.353.05zhu
Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between intersubjective and textual meanings through the analysis of three Mandarin Chinese connectives derived from the prohibitive expressions, biéshuō, biékàn, and biéguǎn. While these three linguistic devices have diverse textual meanings, the original directive meaning of the prohibitive expression persists to an extent. The analysis sheds light on the intertwining of intersubjectivity and textuality observed in these three connectives. By examining the orientations of textual meaning in earlier representative studies on (inter)subjectification, this paper posits that intersubjective and textual meanings are closely intertwined and can be simultaneously manifested. The present study contributes to the comprehension of the relationship between intersubjective and textual meanings, offering valuable insights based on Mandarin Chinese.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The [bié V] connectives in Mandarin Chinese
    • 2.1Biéshuō as a scalar additive coordinator
    • 2.2Biékàn as a concessive marker
    • 2.3Biéguǎn as a concessive conditional marker
    • 2.4The intersubjectivity of the [bié V] connectives
  • 3.Discussion: Between intersubjective and textual meanings
    • 3.1Subjectification or a third tendency?
    • 3.2Linking textuality with intersubjectivity
  • 4.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
References (49)
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