先秦情態副詞“必”的語義演變 : 兼論兩種“必”構式的語義特點

Abstract

The modal adverb Bi(必) in pre-Qin period has two major kinds of meaning, i.e. epistemic modality and deontic modality. Both meanings are derived from ‘firm, definite’, which is the meaning of adjective Bi(必). The semantic feature of it is [+fixed] [+ event] (= [+necessity]). The addition of the [+affirmative] feature to them becomes an objective epistemic meaning of adverb Bi(必), which also has type-event feature. The disappearance of the [+fixed] feature of them further becomes a subjective epistemic meaning of it, which also has token-event feature. The addition of the [+mandatory] feature to them becomes an objective deontic meaning of adverb Bi(必), which moral source is general rule. The disappearance of the [+fixed] feature of them further becomes a subjective deontic meaning of it, which moral source is authoritative individual. The development of epistemic and deontic meaning of Bi(必) is consistent with the process of subjectification. Bi(必) can also has two interpretations in certain constructions, the reason for that is related to the source of meaning of Bi(必) and the properties of its constructions.