How does context influence pronoun reference in Chinese?
Context is crucial in Chinese pronoun reference due to the language's tendency to omit pronouns. The meaning often relies on shared information, situational cues, and discourse context. Pronouns like "他" (he) and "她" (she) are distinguished by gender but require sufficient contextual clarity. Without context, ambiguity in pronoun reference increases.
How do pronouns reflect gender in Chinese?
In Chinese, third-person pronouns reflect gender in written form (`他` for "he", `她` for "she", `它` for "it"), but they all sound the same (`tā`) in spoken language. Gender distinction is less emphasised compared to English.
What are the common pronouns used in modern Chinese?
Common pronouns in modern Chinese include "我" (wǒ) for "I", "你" (nǐ) for "you", "他" (tā) for "he", "她" (tā) for "she", "它" (tā) for "it", "我们" (wǒmen) for "we", "你们" (nǐmen) for "you" (plural), and "他们" (tāmen) for "they".
How does the use of pronouns differ between Mandarin and Cantonese?
Mandarin and Cantonese both use pronouns, but their forms and use can differ. In Mandarin, "he," "she," and "it" are all "他" (tā) when spoken, though written differently. Cantonese often uses more pronouns contextually omitted and employs specific pronouns like "佢" (keoi5) for "he/she." Pronoun use in Cantonese can also reflect social hierarchy and formality more distinctly.
How do pronouns function in formal and informal Chinese language use?
In formal Chinese, pronouns are used sparingly to maintain politeness and clarity, often replaced by titles or names. In informal Chinese, pronouns (such as 他, 她, 它) are used more freely, similar to English, to indicate familiarity and conversational tone.