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A Description of the Theme Structure of Bai Clause
School of Foreign Languages of Southwest University, Chongqing, China
School of Foreign Languages of Dali University, Dali, China
- 1 School of Foreign Languages of Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- 2 School of Foreign Languages of Dali University, Dali, China
Open Journal of Modern Linguistics·Volume 05 (2015)·Pages 528–538·Published 7 December 2015·DOI10.4236/ojml.2015.56046
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Abstract
The Bai language (shortened as Bai) used in southwest China demonstrates a variety of typological facets in terms of the Theme structure. The usual Theme in Bai clauses is a nominal phrase, or a pronominal phrase. Bai clauses can often start with the Object being the topical Theme. It has low tolerance for multiple Themes. The subjectless clauses indicate richer possibilities in construing meaning than their counterparts with recovered Subjects.
KeywordsBaiTypes of ThemesTopical Theme Marker
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