‘跨越东亚’的现代汉语情态副词研究现状、动向及展望 — 以中⋅韩⋅日三国研究成果为中心

Abstract

This study reviews 88 research works on modal adverbs in modern Chinese conducted in China, Korea, and Japan since the early 21st century, adopting a trans-East Asian perspective. It examines the current status, identifies major trends, and explores future prospects of research in the three countries. China has produced the largest number of studies (52), with a relatively balanced focus on individual adverbs, adverb categories, and the overall system. Korea (24) has concentrated mainly on adverb categories and contrastive studies, while Japan (12) has primarily addressed individual modal adverbs. In terms of research domains, Chinese scholarship covers ontological, acquisition, pedagogical, and contrastive studies, with ontology dominating (69%). Korean research emphasizes contrastive (46%) and ontological studies (38%), whereas Japanese work is largely ontological (83%) with limited acquisition (17%). Diachronically, Chinese research has shifted from ontological to applied studies and recently returned to ontological discussions, with dialectal studies emerging since 2024. Korean research, beginning in 2002, peaked in contrastive studies around 2013 before refocusing on ontology, while Japanese studies, initiated in 2009, increasingly highlight case-based and diachronic analyses. Despite these advances, problems remain: classification systems for modal adverbs are underdeveloped, analytical frameworks are inconsistent, cross-linguistic scope is narrow, and pedagogical research is insufficient. Future studies should refine theoretical frameworks, broaden comparative horizons, and establish a stronger pedagogical foundation, thereby advancing the status, trends, and prospects of research on modal adverbs in modern Chinese from a trans-East Asian perspective.