These files are maintained strictly for historical reference, research, and recordkeeping purposes, and the content has not been altered or updated since archiving.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.

These files are maintained strictly for historical reference, research, and recordkeeping purposes, and the content has not been altered or updated since archiving.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.


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: [xmca] intonation and meaning



Thanks for the very interesting examples from Cantonese. I'd forgotten about "particles"; they are used a lot for the purposes for which we mainly use intonation in English, in other languages as well.

Yes, it's a dissertation for sure. Maybe a few. An edited volume I'd like to see someone else do.

JAY.

Jay Lemke
Professor
Educational Studies
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
www.umich.edu/~jaylemke




On May 3, 2009, at 8:30 AM, Ng Foo Keong wrote:

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



_______________________________________________
xmca mailing list
xmca@weber.ucsd.edu
http://dss.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/xmca