A comparative study of the restrictive markings of mandarin Jiù, Cái, and
Zhǐ
This study analyzes Mandarin 就 (jiù),
才(cái), and 只(zhǐ), all of which
communicate messages of restrictiveness and may be translated as ‘just,’ ‘only,’ ‘no more,’ ‘no other,’ and other
such expressions of small quantity and restriction. The study shows that the three particles distinguish distinct
restricted situations vis-à-vis the backdrop of a “spatio-temporal-existential cline” (Tobin, 1995). Jiù’s restrictive meaning centers on the situation
itself, marking it as all there is. Cái evokes a temporal cline on which more entities
may accrue following the situation’s temporal progression. Zhǐ is similar to the English notion
of “only,” affirming one entity while excluding other entities in the same situation. The paper concludes with a
discussion of comparable restrictive markings in English and Mandarin.
Article outline
- 1.Mandarin particles of restrictiveness: Jiù, Cái, Zhǐ
- 2.Data and methodology
- 3.Meaning hypotheses
- 4.
Jiù: all there is or [a = a]
- 5.
Cái: inception or [a= > ABCD….]
- 6.
Zhǐ: affirming one entity+negating other entities or [ABCD…]
- 7.Discussion and conclusion
-
Acknowledgments
-
Notes
-
References