<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This paper examines the use of Mandarin <italic>yě</italic> ‘also’ in contexts which <italic>dōu</italic> can be used as well, e.g., in <italic>no matter</italic> and <italic>even</italic> contexts. I argue that there is a correlation between the possibility of using <italic>yĕ</italic> and the presence of a scalar reading as well as a reference to an extremity on the scale in question. The data we present show that <italic>yě</italic> is invariably associated with scalar readings: <italic>yě</italic> is always used in scalar contexts, and contexts that are not obviously scalar become so when <italic>yě</italic> is used. I also argue that a scalar interpretation of <italic>wh</italic>-elements in <italic>no matter</italic> contexts can be derived with the aid of negation or modals, thus accounting for the felicitousness of <italic>yě</italic> in such contexts. The paper ends with a short note on <italic>lián</italic>, hypothesizing that its function is to introduce the extreme of the scale. I also argue that the licensing condition of the additive/basic <italic>yě</italic>, i.e., the presence of alternatives in the background, also plays a role in the scalar use of <italic>yě</italic>.</p></abstract>

This paper examines the use of Mandarin yě ‘also’ in contexts which dōu can be used as well, e.g., in no matter and even contexts. I argue that there is a correlation between the possibility of using yĕ and the presence of a scalar reading as well as a reference to an extremity on the scale in question. The data we present show that yě is invariably associated with scalar readings: yě is always used in scalar contexts, and contexts that are not obviously scalar become so when yě is used. I also argue that a scalar interpretation of wh-elements in no matter contexts can be derived with the aid of negation or modals, thus accounting for the felicitousness of yě in such contexts. The paper ends with a short note on lián, hypothesizing that its function is to introduce the extreme of the scale. I also argue that the licensing condition of the additive/basic yě, i.e., the presence of alternatives in the background, also plays a role in the scalar use of yě.

Mandarin <italic>Yě</italic> and Scalarity

Studies in Chinese Linguistics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

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This paper examines the use of Mandarin yě ‘also’ in contexts which dōu can be used as well, e.g., in no matter and even contexts. I argue that there is a...

Mandarin Yě and Scalarity

Published Online: Mar 07, 2019

Page range: 155 - 178

Received: Jun 21, 2018

Accepted: Nov 22, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scl-2018-0006

Keywords
Mandarin, Mandarin, scalarity, free choice, Mandarin

© 2018 Zhaole Yang, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Mandarin Yě and Scalarity

Published Online: Mar 07, 2019

Page range: 155 - 178

Received: Jun 21, 2018

Accepted: Nov 22, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/scl-2018-0006

KeywordsMandarin, Mandarin, scalarity, free choice, Mandarin

© 2018 Zhaole Yang, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Mandarin, Mandarin, scalarity, free choice, Mandarin