Semantics of Taiwanese u (Chinese)

[摘要] Taiwanese has been analyzed either as a suppletive form of le or an equivalent of a higher abstract verb ;;YOU;;, that asserts the existence of an event or a state. The latter seems plausible. However, when we carefully examine the various semantic functions of u, we find that they lack the constancy which would allow them to be united as a higher existential ;;U;;. This does not mean that there are various separate u;;s. We propose there is only one morpheme u. The ;;major;; various semantics for u, i.e. ;;expectation;;, ;;emphasis;;, ;;perfectivity;; and ;;existence-possession;;, are, metaphorically connected. The links between them are reflected in a series of ambiguous sentences with u, in which an identical form of utterance may represent different meanings according to different contexts of use.

[发布机构] Rice University