현대 중국어 담화 표지 ‘好了’에 대한 一考

Abstract

This paper briefly studied the discourse marker “haole (好了)” in modern Chinese. We found that “haole” has the function of topic-ending. “Haole” in the modern Chinese language can occur both at the beginning and in the middle of turn-taking, and generally has the function of stopping the ongoing utterances or actions. When it occurs at the beginning of turn-taking, it can be used both to stop the ongoing topic of conversation and to seek a switch over to a new topic, in which case it is often used as the function of calling the listener’s attention. When it occurs in the middle of turn-taking, it can be used when the speaker, who manages the turn-taking, terminates the ongoing conversation topic and leaves the place of the conversation or says goodbye to the listener. In the meantime, when the speaker thinks the actions of the participants in a conversation are inappropriate or unnecessary, s/he can use the word “haole” to ask them to stop the utterances or actions; or when s/he thinks their utterances or actions are sufficient, s/he can also use it to ask them to stop them in a roundabout way. In addition, when the speaker thinks his/her own utterance is sufficient, s/he can use it to foretell the listener about the termination of the conversation or situation. After “V好了” was lexicalized into “haole,” this pragmatic function of “haole” has in its meaning evolved from “being contented because a certain criterion has been reached” to “having the intention to stop the ongoing utterances or actions because they are thought to be enough.” Thus, whether the word “haole” is used to ask listeners to stop their utterances or actions, or for the speaker him/herself to stop them, it all signifies that the speaker’s criterion has already been reached. It is hoped that the analysis in this study will significantly contribute to the education of Chinese as a foreign language.