A Study on the Syntactic, Semantic and Pragmatic Functions of the Construction "Wang Si Li V"
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/7pmtss54Keywords:
Wang Si Li V construction; syntax; semantics; pragmatics.Abstract
Based on Construction Grammar and Cognitive Linguistics, this paper conducts a systematic study of the modern Chinese construction wang sili V (“to V to death/extremely”) from three dimensions: syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Syntactically, the construction is semi-fixed and semi-schematic. The verb V is mainly a monosyllabic volitional verb, often functioning as the predicate and capable of forming an independent clause, with various constituents co-occurring before and after it. Semantically, si (“death”) has grammaticalized from a resultative meaning to an intensifier. The verb has gradually generalized, giving rise to four variants: ba/jiang/gei/bei N jiu wang sili V. The construction as a whole is characterized by subjectivity, qualitative increment, and extremity. Pragmatically, it is predominantly derogatory but also has commendatory and neutral uses. It mainly conveys coercive directives via deontic modality and highlights the subject’s volition through dynamic modality, thus fulfilling functions of affective evaluation and interpersonal interaction.
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[2] Yuan, D. (2008). A study on the Modern Chinese construction “Wang A li V” (Master’s thesis). Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China. (pp. 1–10)
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[8] Gong, W. J. Diachronic investigation of the evaluative paraphrasing construction “Wang X li V” in Lao She’s works. Chinese Character Culture, 2021(4), 11–12.
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[11] Shi, C. H., Ma, W. J., & Hao, T. Some thoughts on the study of partially schematic constructions. Language, Translation and Cognition, 2024(1), 17–46, 152.
[12] Ma, Q. Z. Selected works of famous mid‑career Chinese linguists: Ma Qingzhu. Anhui Education Press, 1988. (pp. 164–165)
[13] Peng, Z. Z. (2020). Teaching the “Wang X li V” construction to TCSL learners (Master’s thesis). Nanchang University, Nanchang, China. (p. 11)
[14] Zhang, W. H. The volitional category of Chinese verbs and its syntactic realization: Reconsidering the autonomous category. Journal of Northwest Normal University (Social Sciences Edition), 2008(1), 86–90.
[15] Traugott, E. C., & Trousdale, G. Constructionalization and constructional changes. Oxford University Press, 2013. (pp. 22–26)
[16] Hou, W. Y., & Shi, C. H. Constructionalization of the scalar negative construction “X bu dao nali qu”: With reference to grammaticalization of pragmatic features. Language Teaching and Linguistic Studies, 2025(2), 86–100.
[17] Shi, C. H., & Cai, S. M. Theoretical issues in construction grammar: A critical analysis. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 2022, 54(5), 643–655, 798.
[18] Tao, H. Y. On the grammatical significance of register classification. Contemporary Linguistics, 1999(3), 15–24, 61.
[19] Shen, J. X. How to handle the “disposal construction”? On the subjectivity of the ba-construction. Studies of the Chinese Language, 2002(5), 387–399, 478.
[20] Diao, Y. B. The jiang-construction and its usage in four regions across the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Nanyang Normal University, 2012, 11(5), 37–43.
[21] Shen, J. X. Subjectivity and subjectification in language. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 2001(4), 268–275, 320.
[22] Tang, T. C. Studies on Chinese grammar. Pyramid Press, 2000. (pp. 81–101)
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[24] Peng, L. Z. Modality in Modern Chinese. China Social Sciences Press, 2007. (pp. 42–47)
[25] Xie, J. L. (2002). Modal verbs in Chinese (Doctoral dissertation). National Tsing Hua University, Taipei, China. (p. 49)
[1] Zhang, L. R. On the construction “Wang X li V” and its translation. Journal of Kashgar Teachers College (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 1993(2), 98–102.
[2] Yuan, D. (2008). A study on the Modern Chinese construction “Wang A li V” (Master’s thesis). Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China. (pp. 1–10)
[3] Hu, X. On the formation mechanism of the construction “Wang A li V”. Brand, 2014(1), 68.
[4] Nie, Y. P. The hierarchical structure and formation mechanism of the construction “Wang Si li X”. Modern Chinese, 2019(4), 149–153.
[5] Ma, Z. Functional evolution and subjectification of the “Wang A li V” construction. Language Teaching and Linguistic Studies, 2009(5), 39–44.
[6] Nie, Y. P. (2020). A study on the “Wang V li VP” construction (Master’s thesis). Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China. (pp. 49–51)
[7] Li, X. Q., & Chen, C. L. The paraphrasing construction “Wang X li shuo” in Modern Chinese. Applied Linguistics, 2020(1), 95–102.
[8] Gong, W. J. Diachronic investigation of the evaluative paraphrasing construction “Wang X li V” in Lao She’s works. Chinese Character Culture, 2021(4), 11–12.
[9] Feng, S. L. Prosody, morphology and syntax in Chinese. Peking University Press, 2009. (p. 93)
[10] Goldberg, A. E. Constructions: A construction grammar approach to argument structure. Peking University Press, 2007. (p. 16)
[11] Shi, C. H., Ma, W. J., & Hao, T. Some thoughts on the study of partially schematic constructions. Language, Translation and Cognition, 2024(1), 17–46, 152.
[12] Ma, Q. Z. Selected works of famous mid‑career Chinese linguists: Ma Qingzhu. Anhui Education Press, 1988. (pp. 164–165)
[13] Peng, Z. Z. (2020). Teaching the “Wang X li V” construction to TCSL learners (Master’s thesis). Nanchang University, Nanchang, China. (p. 11)
[14] Zhang, W. H. The volitional category of Chinese verbs and its syntactic realization: Reconsidering the autonomous category. Journal of Northwest Normal University (Social Sciences Edition), 2008(1), 86–90.
[15] Traugott, E. C., & Trousdale, G. Constructionalization and constructional changes. Oxford University Press, 2013. (pp. 22–26)
[16] Hou, W. Y., & Shi, C. H. Constructionalization of the scalar negative construction “X bu dao nali qu”: With reference to grammaticalization of pragmatic features. Language Teaching and Linguistic Studies, 2025(2), 86–100.
[17] Shi, C. H., & Cai, S. M. Theoretical issues in construction grammar: A critical analysis. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 2022, 54(5), 643–655, 798.
[18] Tao, H. Y. On the grammatical significance of register classification. Contemporary Linguistics, 1999(3), 15–24, 61.
[19] Shen, J. X. How to handle the “disposal construction”? On the subjectivity of the ba-construction. Studies of the Chinese Language, 2002(5), 387–399, 478.
[20] Diao, Y. B. The jiang-construction and its usage in four regions across the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Nanyang Normal University, 2012, 11(5), 37–43.
[21] Shen, J. X. Subjectivity and subjectification in language. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 2001(4), 268–275, 320.
[22] Tang, T. C. Studies on Chinese grammar. Pyramid Press, 2000. (pp. 81–101)
[23] Palmer, F. R. Mood and modality (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press, 1986. (p. 16)
[24] Peng, L. Z. Modality in Modern Chinese. China Social Sciences Press, 2007. (pp. 42–47)
[25] Xie, J. L. (2002). Modal verbs in Chinese (Doctoral dissertation). National Tsing Hua University, Taipei, China. (p. 49)
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