A Study of the Mandarin Chinese Verb Suffix 'Zhe'.

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive explanation of the role of the Mandarin Chinese suffix(' ) zhe. Examination of the uses of zhe reveals that the conventional classification of zhe as an imperfective aspect marker is inadequate. Zhe is an essential marker for denoting an ongoing situation; however, its use as a subordination marker, adversative marker, static marker, recall marker, and contradiction marker cannot be accounted for under the rubric "marker of imperfective aspect." The several distinct roles played by zhe are determined by the linguistic context in which zhe occurs, the nature of verbs with which zhe occurs, and the nature of the suffix zhe itself. The global function of zhe is determined by the sentence pattern in which it occurs. In a simple zhe construction, zhe is a durative marker, indicating an ongoing situation. In a complex zhe pattern, it functions as a subordinate marker and changes the verb to which it is attached into a manner adverbial. In a comparative construction, zhe is an adversative marker. It stresses the degree of difference between the objects being compared in order to convey other messages, such as surprise, disbelief, or disapproval. In an imperative construction, zhe is a static marker. It orders the addressee to remain in the static state s/he is already in. The local functions of zhe are determined by the nature of the verbs with which zhe occurs. In association with posture verbs, it serves as a complement to them. When it co-occurs with a verb belonging to more than one category, one that is both an action and a state verb, it defines the verb as a state verb. Association of zhe with reduplicated verbs connotes vividness, favorability, and intensity. The durative nature of zhe limits the association of zhe to open-ended process verbs. In certain circumstances, however, such as in a comparative construction or when occuring with the marker(' ) ne, zhe may also occur with a relative state verb. But zhe cannot associate with punctual verbs. The compound particle (' ) laizhe is also considered and is reclassified as a recall marker, rather than as a recent past marker. In this role, laizhe serves to indicate that some information needs to be recalled or repeated. Examination of the co-occurrence of zhe and ne reveals that, contrary to past claims, there is no need to define zhene as a compound particle and zhe ne as two consecutive particles. Any apparent difference between the two is a consequence of the context in which they appear and the nature of the verbs which precede them, not of their separation or linkage. The results of this study not only provide a more complete description of the roles of the suffix zhe play in Mandarin Chinese but also add depth to the ongoing discussion on "aspect markers" in Mandarin Chinese.PhDLinguisticsUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/159423/1/8314324.pd