Abstract
The "degree adverb-adjective" structure is a common means of expressing degree in Chinese and has been extensively studied in other languages. Therefore, this structure provides an ideal focus for examining the effects of boundedness and ordering on the configurational harmony of scalar collocations in Chinese. This study analyzes experimental data from Chinese native speakers to investigate their usage of the "degree adverb-adjective" structure and the factors affecting the configuration of the "degree adverb-adjective" structure. The results indicate that most experimental items were affected by the scalar degree of the collocating adjectives and adverbs. Furthermore, Chinese native speakers' inferences regarding the "degree adverb-adjective" structure are influenced by the semantic constraints of the degree adverbs, which affect their collocative potential with adjectives with adjectives. Context is also a significant factor influencing the collocations in terms of the standard shift of the predicate, thereby enabling adjectives to express different scales in varying contexts.
| Translated title of the contribution | An Empirical Study on Scalar Structure in Mandarin: A Case Study on "Degree Adverb-Adjective" Structures |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Pages (from-to) | 234-270 |
| Number of pages | 37 |
| Journal | Chinese Language and Discourse |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 Aug 25 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Visual Arts and Performing Arts
- Linguistics and Language