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Chapter 2. The distribution of null subjects in Chinese discourse

A centering approach
  • Shuangshuang (Lillian) Chen
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Analysing Chinese Language and Discourse across Layers and Genres
This chapter is in the book Analysing Chinese Language and Discourse across Layers and Genres

Abstract

Chinese is described as a null subject language, in that the subject of a clause can be unexpressed (covert). While a large amount of previous literature has focused on null subjects in isolated sentences, this study is concerned with null subjects in Chinese written narrative discourse within the framework of the Centering Theory. I examined the distribution of null subjects and their antecedents to explore the properties of null subjects, especially the relation between the function of null subjects and centering transitions. My hypothesis that the use of null subjects strongly relates to the CONTINUE transition is basically supported. Specifically, 96.48% are referential null subjects. Besides, I found that null subjects can also occur in other transition types, particularly in SMOOTH transitions (52.59%). The difference is that null subjects in CONTINUE transitions are overwhelmingly referential null subjects (96.48%), while they are non-referential null subjects (60.66%) in SMOOTH transitions.

Abstract

Chinese is described as a null subject language, in that the subject of a clause can be unexpressed (covert). While a large amount of previous literature has focused on null subjects in isolated sentences, this study is concerned with null subjects in Chinese written narrative discourse within the framework of the Centering Theory. I examined the distribution of null subjects and their antecedents to explore the properties of null subjects, especially the relation between the function of null subjects and centering transitions. My hypothesis that the use of null subjects strongly relates to the CONTINUE transition is basically supported. Specifically, 96.48% are referential null subjects. Besides, I found that null subjects can also occur in other transition types, particularly in SMOOTH transitions (52.59%). The difference is that null subjects in CONTINUE transitions are overwhelmingly referential null subjects (96.48%), while they are non-referential null subjects (60.66%) in SMOOTH transitions.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. List of contributors ix
  5. Chapter 1. Researching the Chinese language and discourse 1
  6. Chapter 2. The distribution of null subjects in Chinese discourse 11
  7. Chapter 3. Conversational narrative marker 37
  8. Chapter 4. Windows of attention and the polysemy of V-kai 59
  9. Chapter 5. The acceptability of 把 ba +subject-oriented resultatives in Mandarin Chinese 73
  10. Chapter 6. Gender representation in Chinese language 101
  11. Chapter 7. Understanding stancetaking through gestures and linguistic practices in a public political debate in Hong Kong 119
  12. Chapter 8. Representations of Pinkunsheng in China’s university media 147
  13. Chapter 9. Language resources of Yunnan in “the Belt and Road” project 167
  14. Chapter 10. Impact of power relations on news translation in China 177
  15. Chapter 11. Translating puns in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 195
  16. Chapter 12. Translation and re-narration of Nainai 219
  17. Name index 229
  18. Subject index 231
https://doi.org/10.1075/scld.13.02che

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. List of contributors ix
  5. Chapter 1. Researching the Chinese language and discourse 1
  6. Chapter 2. The distribution of null subjects in Chinese discourse 11
  7. Chapter 3. Conversational narrative marker 37
  8. Chapter 4. Windows of attention and the polysemy of V-kai 59
  9. Chapter 5. The acceptability of 把 ba +subject-oriented resultatives in Mandarin Chinese 73
  10. Chapter 6. Gender representation in Chinese language 101
  11. Chapter 7. Understanding stancetaking through gestures and linguistic practices in a public political debate in Hong Kong 119
  12. Chapter 8. Representations of Pinkunsheng in China’s university media 147
  13. Chapter 9. Language resources of Yunnan in “the Belt and Road” project 167
  14. Chapter 10. Impact of power relations on news translation in China 177
  15. Chapter 11. Translating puns in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 195
  16. Chapter 12. Translation and re-narration of Nainai 219
  17. Name index 229
  18. Subject index 231
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