Revisiting the Modal Verb <i>huì</i> with an Interactional Linguistic Approach
This study takes an interactional linguistics and conversation analysis-based approach to analyze the modal verb <i>huì</i> ‘will’ in the recurrent formular of commissive actions, [<i>wǒ huì</i> X (<i>de</i>)] ‘I will X.’ Data analyses show that this format has tw...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Languages |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/7/4/294 |
| Summary: | This study takes an interactional linguistics and conversation analysis-based approach to analyze the modal verb <i>huì</i> ‘will’ in the recurrent formular of commissive actions, [<i>wǒ huì</i> X (<i>de</i>)] ‘I will X.’ Data analyses show that this format has two variations differentiated by the prosodic stress on <i>huì</i>. The format with the unstressed <i>huì</i> is often observed in turn-initiating position where the speaker offers to perform a future action or informs the recipient of their arrangement of an established activity. The format with the stressed <i>huì</i> appears in both initiating and responding positions although it is less frequently observed. Stressed <i>huì</i> is often used to reassure the recipient of an existing commitment to performing a future action. This study highlights the significance of prosody in the study of modal verbs and the benefits of studying individual words in a linguistic formula situated in specific interactional contexts. |
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| ISSN: | 2226-471X |