Discourse Functions of Taiwanese Ma, A, and Koh

• Main Authors: Ni, Diana, 倪福月
• Other Authors: Cherry Ing Li
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1996
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/57373538819482325888

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 英語學系 === 84 === The present study is a preliminary analysis on the discourse functions of Tai-wanese adverbs ma, a and koh. We aim to find the inter-relationships betweenthe diverse uses arising from the same adverb and to find the core meaning of each adverb if there is one. In this study,we adopt Traugott's model,in whichthree components of meaning are distinguished: propositional world, textual world, and expressive world.Ma in the propositional world indicates similaritybetween two or more elements,which is also ma's core meaning. With this sense,ma shows textual cohesion between the linked elements in the textual world andexpresses intensification in assertives and directives. A in the propositionalworld shows addition of similar element, which is also a's basic meaning. Withthis meaning, a shows textual cohesion in the textual world and reinforcesrefutation in the expressive world. Koh in the propositional world indicatesaddition of either similar or diverse elements,which is also koh's core sense.Derived from this sense, koh's use in the textual world is to show textual cohesion and koh's use in the expressive world is to convey an overtone of surprise. The derivational process is a process of subjectivization.