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Pragmatic functions of lê ‘what’ in Longxi Qiang

Beyond questioning

 | South China Normal University
Published online: 8 August 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.24017.zhe
Abstract
This study examines the pragmatic functions of Longxi Qiang interrogative pronoun lê (‘what’) in natural conversation. Based on approximately ten hours of transcribed data, we found that lê is used in question and non-question functions such as filler, reversed polarity question marker, attention attractor, negative stance marker, non-specific referent, general extender, and universal term. Most instances of lê in the data serve various interactional functions rather than seeking information. The non-question functions of lê are related to negative, rather than positive, meaning; for example, negative evaluation, stance, or providing little to no information of the referents under discussion.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.‘What’-constructions in Qiang varieties
    • 2.1Formal description of ‘what’-constructions in Qiang varieties
      • 2.1.1Functional description of ‘what’-constructions in Qiang varieties
      • 2.1.2Research on non-question uses of ‘what’-constructions in Qiang varieties
  • 3.Data and methodology
    • 3.1Data
    • 3.2Methodology
  • 4.Basic interrogative uses of lê ‘what’ in Longxi Qiang
  • 5.Extended non-question uses of lê in Longxi Qiang
    • 5.1Assessment
      • 5.1.1Lê as a ‘what’-reversed polarity question
      • 5.1.2Lê as a negative stance-taking marker
    • 5.2Outloud
      • 5.2.1Lê as a filler
      • 5.2.2Lê as an attention-attracting marker
    • 5.3Categories related to referents
      • 5.3.1Lê modifying non-specific referents
      • 5.3.2Lê as a general extender
      • 5.3.3Lê in universal use
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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