Concession expression and evaluative stancetaking: the discourse features of gùrán-utterances in Chinese dialogues
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Yang Qi
Yang Qi is a Doctoral Candidate in the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China. His current research interests include social pragmatics, discourse analysis, pragmatic makers and language change (from the synchronic and diachronic perspectives).
and
Xiaojun Zhu
Xiaojun Zhu received her PhD in linguistics and applied linguistics from East China Normal University and is currently a professor at Xinjiang University and dean of the College of Foreign Languages at Xinjiang University. Her research interests include sociolinguistics, language education, cross-cultural language studies and cognitive pragmatics.
Abstract
In modern Chinese, gùrán serves to confirm a certain fact or a viewpoint, while subtly introducing the speaker’s actual intention through a concessive transition. Gùrán shows a versatility in utterance placement, either positioning itself at the beginning of an utterance or following the subject. This paper builds on the previous findings on the usage of gùrán and utilizes oral language from the Media Language Corpus (MLC) to explore the features of gùrán-utterances in dialogues. Guided by the stance framework, the analysis focuses on the personal evaluative stance conveyed by speakers employing gùrán in dialogues. It is observed that utterances containing gùrán align with two distinct modes of discourse correlation: a) the direct correlative mode and b) the indirect correlative mode. Additionally, these utterances are characterized by predictability and directionality, enhancing conversational flow. In accordance with the Politeness Principle, gùrán-utterances often adopt an “agreeing and then disagreeing” strategy in conversation, aiming to preserve the interlocutor’s face while articulating a subjective evaluative stance that merges the speaker’s intention with their standpoint.
Funding source: Xinjiang University
Award Identifier / Grant number: XJU2024BS031
Funding source: Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Award Identifier / Grant number: XJ2025G012
About the authors
Yang Qi is a Doctoral Candidate in the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China. His current research interests include social pragmatics, discourse analysis, pragmatic makers and language change (from the synchronic and diachronic perspectives).
Xiaojun Zhu received her PhD in linguistics and applied linguistics from East China Normal University and is currently a professor at Xinjiang University and dean of the College of Foreign Languages at Xinjiang University. Her research interests include sociolinguistics, language education, cross-cultural language studies and cognitive pragmatics.
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Research funding: This work was supported by the Xinjiang University (XJU2024BS031) and Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XJ2025G012).
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Data availability: Data will be made available on request.
Appendix: Gloss symbols
| BA | bǎ 把 |
| CL | classifier |
| COMP | comparative marker |
| COP | copular |
| LOC | localizer |
| MP | modal particle |
| NEG | negative element |
| PEF | perfective marker |
| PL | plural marker |
| SP | structural particle |
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