The data in Hunan dialects show that
and constructions do not only indicate possibilities, and even when the two constructions both indicate possibilities, they are not identical and not always interchangeable. In the Hunan dialects, the following contrasts between these two constructions can be found: VolitionPossibilityAbilityPermissionObligationPossibility In this paper, the different usages across localities in Hunan will examined, and the hypothesis of the order differences and the path of development will be stressed.This paper will concentrate on the and constructions.①The focus will be on the semantic contrasts of these two constructions in which the word orders are opposite in the Hunan dialects, as well as the hypothesis of the paths of development of the two constructions. 1. The usages of 得 DE in Chinese HistoryDE is a linguistic sign with a long history and which has very complex usages. According to the research by historical linguists (Zhou fagao 1968, Ohta 1958, Peyraube 1996 and Sun Chaofen 1996 among others), DE has experienced the following stages in Chinese history:Time periodStructureMeaning of DEFunction of DEAncient bronze(Before 500 BC)To obtainFree verbOld Chinese(500 BC - 200 AD)To permit (in a negative and a rhetorical sentence)To be possibleAuxiliary verbMiddle ChineseBefore 7th century To attainTo be possibleAuxiliary verbMiddle Chineseafter 7th centuryTo attainTo complementAuxiliary verba marker for complementThe table shows that both and can be used to indicate the notion of Possibility, and that appeared earlier than . These two structures and are declined in Early Mandarin. In modern Mandarin, DE can still be used as a modal auxiliary verb indicating obligation and possibility in the construction , but the pronunciation is dei. DE in the sequence is used to indicate possibility, and is the least commonly used among all the categories in Modern Mandarin (Sun 1996:134). Is derived from a word shift of , or do and have different paths of development? Historical linguists have different views. Some consider that indicates possibility, and is a result of an order shift from in which DE indicates possibility (Zhu Minche, 1960, Yue Junfa 1984 among others). Some consider that derives from the verb DE which indicates complement and achievement (Wang Li, 1958:301-304, Taitian 1987: 215-217; Yang Ping 1989). I agree with the second proposal, and I will use the data from the Hunan dialects to give this hypothesis a more detailed treatment.2. and in the Hunan dialectsIn the Hunan dialects, there are some contrasts between and . These contrasts may also occur in early Chinese, but not enough attention has been paid to this. The following data will be used for discussion:i) Data from Hunan Xiao Xi yuan (Tang and Xu, 1978)Hunan xiaoxi yuan is a collection of short Flower Drum operas, mainly from Changsha. Flower drum opera is a very popular local opera in Hunan and the dialogues are mainly spoken in dialect form. Examples from this collection will be marked " H " in this paper.ii) Data from Shanxiang jubian (Zhou Libo, 1958)Shanxiang jubian was written by Zhou Libo (1908 - 1979), a famous Chinese writer. The local content of Great Changes in a Mountain Village was in the author's own dialect, from the county of Yiyang, just 95 kilometres from Changsha. In this novel the author uses a literary device whereby description of scenery and the plotting of the story line are written chiefly in accordance with the structure of the standard literary language, with only occasional references to local words and expressions. Dialogues, however, are treated differently.
More summaries about the 湖南方言“得+V”和“V+得”结构的发展(英文)