Integrating Chinese Linguistic Research and Language Teaching and Learning

0465147 - OÚ 2017 RIV NL eng M - Monography Chapter
Třísková, Hana
De-stressed words in Mandarin: Drawing parallel with English.
Integrating Chinese Linguistic Research and Language Teaching and Learning. Amsterdam / Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2016 - (Tao, H.), s. 121-144. Studies in Chinese Language and Discourse, 7. ISBN 9789027201874
Institutional support: RVO:68378009
Keywords : Chinese * Mandarin * Phonetics * Phonology * Function words * words with weak forms
Subject RIV: AI - Linguistics

In colloquial Standard Mandarin, monosyllabic tonal function words (such as classifiers, prepositions, personal pronouns, etc.), are regularly pronounced as unstressed and phonetically reduced, unless emphasized. Their unstressed forms play an important role in speech rhythm. The study investigates this group of words. The general issue of stress in Mandarin Chinese is addressed first, arguing that in Chinese de-stress might be an essential notion instead of stress. English words with weak forms (articles, prepositions, etc.) are then introduced. A similar group of Chinese words is established, a new term the cliticoids is coined for them. The strong resemblance between both groups is pointed out. Finally, pedagogical implications of the findings are proposed: the proper handling of the cliticoids may help learners to improve their oral performance.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0267498