Use Types

In this chapter I will deal with a classification of the different use types of cái, jiù, dōu and yĕ (sections 2.1 through 2.4). This classification is a refined blend of different proposals that have been made in the literature. Especially in the case of the parametric use type further sub-divisions are assumed to prove useful in later chapters. ¹ Section 2.5 will deal with the justification for establishing each element in the parametric use as an independent linguistic sign in its own right. This is done because the parametric use type will be the sole concern of the chapters to follow, and the requisite separation from the other use types should be put on a principled basis. Tables comparing the classifications used here and in other studies have been appended in section 2.6 at the end of this chapter to allow the reader a quick overview of the facts.