Chain Topic Structures in Chinese Oral Narrative Discourse
The frequency of occurrence of Chinese chain topic structures varies in different types of oral narrative discourse.The chain topic structures can enhance discourse continuity,and its mechanism lies in the manifestation of dixi(serial nexus).Di'serial'refers to how the speaker intentionally highlights a certain alternating process between the preceding and following sentences,while xi'nexus'refers to how the speaker intentionally highlights a subjective correlation between the preceding and following sentences.In Chinese oral narrative discourse,when the speakers need to express the explicit dixi relationship,they tend to use chain topic structures,which can be divided into three categories according to the basic contextual types in use—"spatiotemporal dixi","explanatory dixi",and"inferential dixi".These three types of chain topic structures exhibit the characteristics of intersubjectivity and inner dialogicity,which are gradually enhanced.When expressing"spatiotemporal dixi",the speaker uses chain topic structures to intentionally organize the alternating order of time or space.The connected utterances are often the spatiotemporal spans that the speaker subjectively believes need attention and have specific meanings.When using the self-questioning-and-answering chain topic structures,the discourse exhibits intersubjectivity and inner dialogicity;When expressing"explanatory dixi",the speaker uses chain topic structures to intentionally highlight the content which the recipient is not familiar with and which the speaker needs to focus on explaining,linking the content that needs to be explained with the speaker's own explanation to demonstrate his epistemic advantage.Therefore,this type of chain topic structure can better reflect intersubjectivity and inner dialogicity.When expressing"inferential dixi",the speaker uses chain topic structures to present the polyphonic and argumentative discourse.The speaker presents the opposing voice of the other,refutes and argues during the process of transitioning from others'discourse to discourse of herself/himself either explicitly or implicitly.This type of chain topic structures maximize the inter-subjectivity and inherent dialogicity of discourse.
万方数据
维普
