Exploring disjunctions in Chinese : a comprehensive analysis of distinctions, usage, and historical development

Abstract

Traditional Western linguistic studies have extensively analyzed the disjunction A or B, paralleling the logical interpretation A ∨ B. However, the Chinese language does not possess a direct equivalent for the logical connector ∨. Instead, it distinguishes between interrogative and declarative disjunctions, utilizing háishì in interrogative contexts to contrast with huòzhě. In declarative contexts, the monosyndetic structure A huòzhě B differs from the bisyndetic constructions huòzhě A huòzhě B and yàome A yàome B. This study aims to elucidate the knowledge network surrounding these Chinese disjunctive constructions. Beginning with top-down approaches, this research examines scope-interpretation issues across the four primary disjunctive constructions. At the sentence level, háishì connects competing propositions regardless of surface scope, whereas A huòzhě B, huòzhě A huòzhě B, and yàome A yàome B connect alternative events under a single proposition. Only A huòzhě B can access NPs, as it unifies options into a set, generating “whichever” meanings when embedded. To further analyze the interpretations of Chinese disjunctions, a strategy-based investigation reveals the interaction between language practices and linguistic comprehension. The interpretation of disjunctions can be deconstructed into two empirical experiences: the urgency of choice and the tangibility of option coexistence. The primary usage of háishì conveys alternative questions, reflecting a high urgency for making choices and a low tangibility of coexistence. In contrast, disjunctions in declarative contexts often exhibit low urgency of choice and demonstrate how disjunctions expand conceptual boundaries to conjunctions. When options show low tangibility of coexistence, huòzhě connects alternative events to narrow possibilities. In distribution scenarios, options can interchangeably represent non-coexistent and coexistent states, particularly in generic statements where high tangibility fosters a conjunctive interpretation. The structures huòzhě A huòzhě B and yàome A yàome B appear in contexts similar to A huòzhě B, with the added function of itemizing options, while yàome A yàome B emphasizes exhaustiveness. To bridge top-down and bottom-up approaches, the study examines the usage of Chinese disjunctions in discourse. In natural discourse, háishì may link two discourse referents to express uncertain statements. Beyond narrowing possibilities and presenting separative conjunctions and free choices, huòzhě enhances discourse by creating higher-level categories and allowing for elaboration and repair of the speaker’s statements. The final section provides a historical analysis of the emergence and development of Chinese disjunctions. Historically, háishì began as a question marker and developed into a connective function. Huòzhě constructions initially appeared as bisyndetic structures for raising possibilities and gradually expanded their functions, eventually developing a monosyndetic form. The yàome construction originally presented alternatives within conditional clauses and later developed an exhaustivity feature through sentence patterns that outline two contrasting conditions regarding a single event.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Supervisor	Min ZHANG (Supervisor)