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Double negation in Longshan Tujia
Author(s)
Date Issued
2024
Citation
Chan, K. W., Xiang, H. (8.12.2024). Double negation in Longshan Tujia. 2024 Annual Research Forum of The Linguistic Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Shue Yan University.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Previous research has extensively discussed single negation words in Tujia. However, our fieldwork conducted in Longshan during 2023-2024 has revealed the presence of double negation structures in the local Tujia dialect, which have not been previously addressed. This paper employs Horn's framework to analyze these double negation structures in Tujia. Our primary findings and arguments are as follows: (i) According to Horn, there are two main categories: Duplex Negatio Affirmat (DNA) and Duplex Negatio Negat (DNN). Both Tujia and Mandarin exhibit DNA. However, DNN is present in Tujia but is rare in Mandarin. (ii) DNN can be further divided into Pleonastic Negation (PN) and Negative Concord (NC). While Tujia possesses PN, it lacks the emphatic function typically associated with this category. Conversely, NC in Tujia, although present, serves an emphatic function, which is contrary to its traditional role. (iii) Tujia encompasses all three types of double negation structures—DNA, NC, and PN— reflecting its grammatical complexity:
Types of double negation
Duplex Negatio Affirmat
(DNA)
Duplex
Negatio
Negat
(DNN)
Pleonastic
Negation (PN)
Negative
Concord (NC)
NP-thai35-thi55
NP-tha55-tha55
V-(tha55)-thiu55
tha55-V-(thi55)
NP-thi55-thi55
Examples in Tujia
ʦhu55ka35ɕi21thai35thi55 ‘Surely there are food at home.’
ko35pa55ɕi21tha55tha55 ‘He surely is watching.’
ŋa35je21zɿ55tha55thiu55 ‘I cannot do it anymore.’
ni35je21tha55zɿ55thi55 ‘Don’t do it.’
ko35zɿ55ɕi21thi55‘He surely did not do it.’
These findings highlight the intricate nature of Tujia negation patterns and contribute
to the broader understanding of ethnic language grammar and typological research.
They also offer a unique perspective on the interaction between negation structures
and emphatic functions in Tujia.
Availability at HKSYU Library
