A Semantic, Discourse, and Pragmatic Comparison of the Mandarin Adverbs Que and Dao with Pedagogical Application

• Main Authors: Lin, Hui-min, 林慧敏
• Other Authors: Chen, Jyun-gwang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/p4e2sx

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 華語文教學研究所 === 97 === Que (卻) and Dao (倒), are adverbs that possess similar meanings. Since they are similar in both meaning and usage, foreign students often have difficulty fully mastering them. The main aim of this research is to compare these two adverbs based on a functional analysis of dissimilarity with respect to semantics, pragmatics, and textual aspects. The results of this analysis will be applied to pedagogical practice in order to help minimize difficulties experienced by students. With respect to semantic meaning, Que (卻) and Dao (倒) as individual characters possess a variety of connotations that actually derive from one abstract core meaning; this variety of meaning is dependent upon context. One main point of demarcation between Que (卻) and Dao (倒) is that in a section of discourse the antecedent linked to the latter may be omitted. This is because Dao (倒) possesses antecedent-consequent linking implicature; this allows the listener to sense the existence of an antecedent without the explicit existence of one within the discourse. Conversely, when Que (卻) is used it must depend upon clear, complete, and explicit context of situation within the linguistic text in order to be understood. From the perspective of textual comparison, Que (卻) and Dao (倒) exhibit different scopes of influence. Que (卻) is only able to exert its influence at the complex-sentence level but not at the larger level of discourse. Dao (倒), on the other hand, functions within a much broader scope; it is able to function at the textual level to either continue or promote further discourse. Dao (倒) has the distinguishing characteristic of functioning to indicate changes in both topic and/or turn-taking conditions, as well as forming discourse section markers. Used in conversation, Dao (倒) is able to indicate a change in topic, bring forth a new topic, urge forward a related topic, or even indicate the completion of a given topic of conversation. Depending on the position of the adverb within the discourse (beginning, middle, or end), there will be corresponding subtle differences in its function. At the pragmatic level, the nature of these two adverbs is again not entirely similar. Dao (倒) can function to lessen the positive/negative mood of the speaker’s utterances, thus creating euphemistic pragmatic meaning, while Que (卻) is unable to carry out this particular function. Based on the modal aspect, the present research discusses possible dissimilar pragmatic results that may arise from the use of Que (卻) and Dao (倒) in conjunction with declarative, imperative, or interrogative sentences. Finally, based on a survey of pertinent Mandarin-language pedagogic material, this study provides recommendations that may act as a reference base for the compilation of future pedagogic materials. Based on the combined results of the multi-tiered analysis carried out in this research, a simple lesson plan has been designed and, by way of an explanation of the teaching process, recommendations related to pedagogy have been provided