Construction, reanalysis, and stance: ‘V yi ge N’ and variations in Mandarin Chinese

Abstract

Abstract Classifiers in Mandarin Chinese typically occur after a numeral and before a noun. In this paper, we examine the interactions that the Mandarin general classifier, ge, has with its neighboring elements as they form constructions. Taking the usage-based approach, we investigate post-verbal constructions involving ge, i.e., ‘V yi ge N’ and its variations. Because of repeated use, the prototypical ‘V yi ge N’ gives rise to some variant constructions through formal reduction and some other through reanalysis and decategorization. Some of the variant constructions can express the speaker’s stance, and we analyze the pragmatic inferencing steps that derive these evaluative meanings and study how some of these meanings are strategically exploited in clause structure and in discourse interaction. Our analysis points to the significance of the collocational/metonymic association between co-occurring linguistic elements in forming constructions and developing constructional meanings. Our study also shows that frequent use is the source for the establishment of the prototype, which in turn provides a point of departure for the application of pragmatic principles, formal reanalysis, and the inclusive interpretation of non-prototypical, extensional uses.