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These files are maintained strictly for historical reference, research, and recordkeeping purposes, and the content has not been altered or updated since archiving. Content on this site may not meet current digital accessibility standards. If you require an alternative, accessible format of any information found on this site, please contact Bruce Jones, bjones@ucsd.edu to request an accommodation.
In Cantonese there are many devices that are available to modify the nuances of meaning. For example, you can use particles like '啩' [gua-] and '咩'[me¯\ ] to express incredulity. e.g. "唔係啩?" --> "It's not true, is it?" (Are you sure?) e.g. "喂!你赶住投胎咩?!" --> "Hey! Are you in a hurry to get reincarnated?!" (Why are you rushing and knocking onto me?!) But you certainly can make utterances with normal relative-intonation to express sarcasm. e.g. "你好嘢！" --> Lit: "You good thing!" (You got me this time, next time I'll get you!) e.g. "咁好介绍" --> Lit: "such a good recommendation!" (Yeah, yeah! Thanks, but no thanks.) Given the plethora of choices, I still don't know if Cantonese speakers prefer non-intonational means for expressing irony. _______________________________________________ xmca mailing list xmca@weber.ucsd.edu http://dss.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/xmca