A Study of Thai Sentences Compared to the Chinese “Adverbial Modifier + 地de + Verb” Construction Using Inventory Typology

Abstract

This study investigates the use of Thai sentences in parallel with the Chinese “adverbial modifier + ‘地’ + verb” construction using inventory typology. The research involved gathering sentences from 21 contemporary Chinese novels and their corresponding Thai translations. The results revealed that the parallel sentences could be categorized into two types: general and special parallel sentences. General parallel sentences could be further divided into (1) verb + adverbial modifier and (2) verb + “jàːŋ” + adverbial modifier. Special parallel sentences could be categorized into six types: (1) adverbial modifier followed by the marker “地,” parallel to the first predicate, (2) adverbial modifier followed by the marker “地,” parallel to adverbs preceding the verb, and (3) verb construction with an adverbial modifier equivalent to a verb.

          From a typological perspective, it can be concluded that the scope of meaning for the adverbial modifier followed by the marker “地” extends beyond merely depicting how the action is performed; it also expresses other meanings, such as the beginning of a place or the cause of an action. Thus, the construction of the adverbial modifier followed by the marker “地” should be considered a distinctive feature of the Chinese language. Additionally, the construction of the adverbial modifier followed by the marker “地” in parallel with the first predicate, especially the first verb in serial verb constructions, reflects a wide range of meanings conveyed by Thai serial verb constructions. Therefore, serial verb constructions should also be recognized as a distinctive feature of the Thai language.