Coherence via Collaboration : A Study of Chinese Causal Connectives

COHERENCE VIA COLLABORATION: A STUDY OF CHINESE CAUSAL CONNECTIVES Hsin-yun, Hsieh Institute of Linguistics National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. Email: r6142001@,ms.cc.ntu.edu.tw ABSTRACT This paper discusses the discourse behavior of Chinese causal connectives yinwei "because- and suoyi "so" from the perspective of grammaticalization, and claims that the underlying motivation for such is coherence, which involves pragmatic and cognitive interpretation. We claim that the majority of yinwei and suoyi are used pragmatically, and they are grammaticalized. This grammaticalization of discourse connectives is motivated by "collaboration." This paper explicitly identifies the semantic and pragmatic functions of yinwei and suoyi. Our findings support that conversation is a collaborative process, and shov1/4 that interlocutors collaborate not only on phrasal or sentential level, but on discourse-level as well. 1. Introduction Pragmatic approaches to connectives are prevalent in the linguistic literature [2][13]115]. We believe that Chinese causal connectives yinwei "because" and suoyi "so" perform pragmatic functions in discourse. and are involved in the maintenance of coherence. The usage of causal connectives deserves investigation. and those pragmatic functions of discourse connectives also need further classification. Our first hypothesis is that yinwei and suoyi are grammaticalized and used pragmatically. We suggest that connectives are often used to achieve discourse coherence. Semantically, ..yinwei and suoyi convex causal relation, but besides semantic function, they also perform pragmatic functions of coherence_ That is. one can use yinwei and suoyi to link two clauses or discourse units that have no causal relationship. This paper will also demonstrate that discourse connectives play an important role in the turn-taking behavior. Interlocutors use connectives to take, yield or hold one's turn. Our second hypothesis is that this grammaticalization of discourse connectives is motivated by "collaboration." This paper investigates the collaboration on discourse coherence via the use of connectives, and aims to claim that collaboration occurs on discourse-level. It is conversants' intention to collaborate that results in those pragmatic functions of connectives, and then the grammaticalization. We examine Chinese causal connectives. and discuss their collaborative usage in terms of form and type of discourse. 2.1 Discourse connectives and coherence2. Literature Review Kurdish connective veca "so," French connective parce que "because," and English connective so and because have been discussed [2]1131[15]. These discourse connectives have more than one uses in conversations, and the difference between their semantic and pragmatic functions is also recognized. But their pragmatic functions need further investigation and classification. Chinese causal connectives yinwei and suoyi has also been investigated [16]. Some discourse functions are mentioned, but the usage is not observed in depth. Some causal clause extensions to others' turns are noticed, but is not discussed further. Coherence-based approach to discourse is argued not to be an adequate framework for the analysis of discourse connectives [13][15], but coherence should not be defined so narrowly. Though coherence is a semantic concept when it was first used, it can involve pragmatic and cognitive notions under a broader definition [ l et]. Coherence can be defined from the perspective of processing [1 ], and be treated as …

Content truncated to 500 words