"到"字的演化小考

Abstract

This paper reviewed changes of dao(到)'s three usages from the synchronic point of view. We found it appropriate to amend the hypothesis set up in the introduction. It should be revised into “dao1 → dao2 ……→dao2 → dao3.”We reached the following 3 conclusions. (1) Through the process of establishment, that is transforming from intransitiveness to transitiveness, dao obtained transitiveness, and in consequence became directly connected to place objects and time objects. (2) As for the change from dao1 to dao2, dao1 which has place objects and time objects moved to the sentence initial position, indicating place and time. dao1 used in serial VP constructions gradually replaced the place object of the first verb and came to indicate completion of the first verb. But it still contained the direction feature, so it could be regarded as dao2. (3) dao1 used in serial VP constructions completely obtained the meaning of the consequence of the first verb, and was split into the followings. V-dao pronounced in original tone always indicates the final destination or an abstract place, so it is classified as dao2. V-dao pronounced in light tone doesn't indicate the final destination, and has obtained the meaning of function, thus it is classified as dao3.