This chapter discusses the evolution of nominal structures and markers, including pronouns, relative clauses, quantifiers, plural markers, structural particles, and reduplicated nominal classifiers. First, it examines the distribution of personal pronouns in the negative structure of simple sentences instead of clauses in Pre-Qin Chinese. It then looks into the origin and function of postposed relative clauses in the Qin and Han dynasties, focusing on the word order of the relative clause with “zhě” (者), later replaced by the structure with “de” (的). Furthermore, it analyzes the reasons for the emergence of classifiers and their development, highlighting the establishment of the “number + classifier + noun” pattern. Moreover, it tracks the rise and fall of structural particles, notably the evolution of “de” from its original role as a demonstrative or interrogative pronoun. Additional topics include the historical conditions for the emergence of the plural marker “men” (们) and changes in the reduplication of nominal classifiers and the range of nouns that can be reduplicated in Modern Chinese. Lastly, it outlines how the number “1” has developed into a marker of definiteness.

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Nominal Structures and Markers

  • Yuzhi Shi

摘要

This chapter discusses the evolution of nominal structures and markers, including pronouns, relative clauses, quantifiers, plural markers, structural particles, and reduplicated nominal classifiers. First, it examines the distribution of personal pronouns in the negative structure of simple sentences instead of clauses in Pre-Qin Chinese. It then looks into the origin and function of postposed relative clauses in the Qin and Han dynasties, focusing on the word order of the relative clause with “zhě” (者), later replaced by the structure with “de” (的). Furthermore, it analyzes the reasons for the emergence of classifiers and their development, highlighting the establishment of the “number + classifier + noun” pattern. Moreover, it tracks the rise and fall of structural particles, notably the evolution of “de” from its original role as a demonstrative or interrogative pronoun. Additional topics include the historical conditions for the emergence of the plural marker “men” (们) and changes in the reduplication of nominal classifiers and the range of nouns that can be reduplicated in Modern Chinese. Lastly, it outlines how the number “1” has developed into a marker of definiteness.