绪论
时间频度副词的定义
Frequency, also known as frequency rate, is defined in the "Modern Chinese Dictionary" (2002: 975) as: 1) the number of vibrations an object makes per second, measured in hertz; 2) the number of times an event occurs within a unit of time While the first definition is primarily used in physics, people in everyday life typically understand frequency according to the second definition.
Zou Haiqing's article "The Scope and Categories of Frequency Adverbs" adopts a specific definition of frequency adverbs, integrating practical language use It defines frequency adverbs as those that quantify the number of times events, actions, or states occur within a unit of time.
Zou Haiqing's definition of frequency adverbs is the most scientific to date, effectively distinguishing them from time adverbs and momentum adverbs This separation provides frequency adverbs with a clear scope and criteria for identification.
时间频度副词的内部分类及其特点
1.1.2.1．时间频度副词的分类
In her 2004 study "A Study of Frequency Adverbs in Modern Chinese," Ding Shujuan categorizes frequency adverbs into five distinct types based on the intensity of actions or behaviors, providing a detailed semantic analysis.
极低值频率副词：从未、未曾、不曾、未尝、无时、无日
较低值频率副词：间或、偶、偶或、偶而
中度值频率副词：不时、有时、时而、时
较高值频率副词：常、常常、经常、时常、每每、时时、往往、一再、再三、
The article discusses various adverbs that convey frequency in Chinese, highlighting terms such as "屡" (frequently) and "频" (often), as well as their higher frequency counterparts like "一直" (always) and "始终" (constantly) These adverbs express a sense of continuity and repetition, emphasizing the regularity of actions or events Understanding these frequency adverbs enhances comprehension of their usage in both written and spoken Chinese, making them essential for effective communication.
老、老是、时刻、从、从来、素来、历来、向来
Scholars generally agree on the classification of frequency adverbs in modern Chinese, categorizing them based on the frequency of actions into three to four groups, with Ding Shujuan uniquely identifying five categories Ding provides a detailed and specific classification and description of most temporal frequency adverbs, which is why I have chosen to adopt her classification.
1.1.2.2．时间频度副词的特点
Frequency adverbs refer to the rate at which events, actions, or behaviors occur They can indicate a specific number of occurrences or convey a more ambiguous sense of frequency It's important to note that time frequency adverbs typically express vague frequency rather than precise counts.
Liu Bei was an ambitious individual whose unfulfilled aspirations often left him feeling discontented.
Socially-run sports initiatives operate without government funding, relying solely on the training expenses for a professional team Additionally, they frequently engage in voluntary performances and actively participate in community service activities.
In the vast expanse of the desert, the landscape is desolate, with no birds soaring above or animals roaming below Occasionally, a whirlwind stirs up clouds of sand, cascading down like a torrential rain.
He possesses a quick wit and effortlessly produces one article after another, showcasing a relaxed yet expressive writing style Occasionally, he composes poetry that is either clear and serene or sharp and incisive.
From examples (1) to (4), it is evident that the frequency adverbs used convey ambiguous and uncertain frequencies While we understand that "often" indicates a higher frequency than "occasionally," we cannot precisely define how often "often" occurs, nor can we clarify the specific time frame represented by "occasionally."
The law establishes clear standards for the frequency represented by each adverb of frequency, resulting in the frequencies they denote being inherently vague and uncertain.
频率副词表现的是动作行为的重复量，具有离散性。例如：
（5）去年我经常骑自行车去上班。
Example (5) analyzes the behavior of "riding a bicycle to work" as a discrete individual action, focusing on the frequency of its repetition over a timeline.
当动作行为只具有离散性时，就能受频率副词的修饰。如:
They strolled from one end of the street to the other, then turned back and explored the opposite side, occasionally darting into intriguing shops and reemerging after some time.
（7）为应付外婆，他时常开开他的留声机。
The concept of extinction has long been a persistent fear for humanity, prompting even the most fearless individuals to occasionally contemplate the end of the world and the inevitability of death.
The phrase "窜进" represents a dynamic directional verb-complement structure, while "开开" exemplifies a reduplicated verb form Additionally, "思索一下" features a verb-complement structure with a quantifier These constructions share a common function of delineating actions, as noted by Shen Jiaxuan (1995), imparting discreteness to the actions Consequently, these actions can only be repeated along the timeline rather than extended.
任何一个频率副词都要反映出量的大小来，即具有量度性。如：
（9）我经常去图书馆看书。
（10）我偶尔去图书馆看书。
The adverb "often" in example (9) indicates that I visit the library frequently, while "occasionally" in example (10) suggests that my visits are infrequent This distinction arises from the nature of frequency adverbs, which quantify the repetition of actions within a given timeframe, thereby reflecting the magnitude of that repetition.
论文的研究背景
1.2.1．现代汉语时间频率副词相关研究
Earlier studies typically classified "经常" (often) and "往往" (frequently) as temporal adverbs, suggesting that they both indicate time This perspective is supported by works such as "A Discussion on Modern Chinese Function Words" by Lu Jianming and Ma Zhenzhen (1999) and "Eight Hundred Words of Modern Chinese" by Lü Shuxiang.
（1999）、如朱德熙的《语法讲义》（2000）、张斌主编的《新编现代汉语》
The classification of adverbs of time has often been considered too broad, as there is significant diversity within this category Liu Yuehua and others, in their 1983 work "Practical Modern Chinese Grammar," were the first to distinguish frequency adverbs from time adverbs, identifying twelve specific frequency adverbs such as "again," "still," and "often." Subsequently, Zhou Xiaobing's 1999 study emphasized the necessity of treating frequency adverbs as a distinct category for research and teaching, based on linguistic and pedagogical considerations Zhang Yisheng's 2000 work on modern Chinese adverbs proposed a new classification system for time adverbs, categorizing them from three levels and four perspectives, and identified 35 frequency adverbs, including terms like "usually" and "always."
So far, research on adverbs of frequency has predominantly focused on individual micro-studies, with a noticeable lack of comprehensive macro-level analyses.
Systematic research has primarily focused on the nature, scope, and categories of frequency adverbs Notable studies include Zhou Xiaobing's "Classification and Usage Rules of Frequency Adverbs" (1999), Shi Jingsheng and Hu Xiaoping's "Categories and Selection of Momentum Adverbs" (2002), Ding Shujuan's master's thesis on "Research on Modern Chinese Frequency Adverbs" (2004), Zou Haiqing's master's thesis also on "Research on Modern Chinese Frequency Adverbs" (2005), and He Shubing's master's thesis "Statistical Analysis of Modern Chinese Frequency Adverbs" (2006).
Individual studies primarily focus on analyzing pairs of frequently used adverbs that are similar in meaning and usage, highlighting their differences and similarities Notable works in this area include Zhou Gang's "On 'Again'" (1994) and Zhou Xiaobing's research, which delve into the nuances of these adverbs.
In the study of adverbs, several key works have contributed to understanding their nuances Zhang Ping's 1994 article on "常常" and "通常" explores their usage, while Zhou Xiaobing and Deng Ning's 2002 analysis distinguishes between "一再" and "再三." Additionally, Shou Yongming's 2002 research examines the semantic and grammatical features of "常常" and "往往." Finally, Zou Haiqing's 2004 study highlights the semantic differences between the frequency adverbs "时时" and "不时." These scholarly contributions provide valuable insights into the complexities of adverb usage in the Chinese language.
In the study of adverbial frequency in modern Chinese, notable works include Min's "Selective Differences in Frequency Adverbs" (2006) and Wang Yuping's comparative research on the temporal adverbs "常常" (often) and "往往" (usually) in "A Comparative Study of Modern Chinese Frequency Adverbs" (2007).
Research on adverbs in the context of teaching Chinese as a foreign language has been explored in several key works, including Zhou Xiaobing's "Research on Adverbs in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language" (2002), Lu Fubo's "Practical Grammar for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language" (2007), and Yang Defeng's "Quantitative Research on Adverbs in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language" (2008) In addition to these books, there are numerous journal articles and master's theses that contribute to the field.
In her 2002 study, "An Investigation of English Native Speakers' Acquisition of '再' and '又'," Li Xiaoqi examines the proficiency levels of foreign students whose native language is English, categorizing them into advanced, intermediate, and beginner groups Utilizing a questionnaire, the research analyzes how these students acquire the Chinese words "再" and "又." Through statistical data and analysis, the study ranks the average accuracy rates of vocabulary and discourse completion tasks, ultimately identifying a five-level acquisition sequence for English native speakers: early, relatively early, middle, relatively late, and late.
In his 2005 study, Ryohta Shiozumi analyzed the usage of the Chinese words "还" (hái), "又" (yòu), and "再" (zài) among Japanese students The research examined the mixed usage of these terms by Japanese international students and provided insights into their understanding Based on these findings, the study offered recommendations for teaching Chinese as a foreign language, aiming to enhance the learning experience for Japanese learners.
In her 2006 study "A Statistical Study of Frequency Adverbs in Modern Chinese," He Shubing examines frequency adverbs from semantic and syntactic perspectives Building on this foundational research, she investigates the usage of frequency adverbs among foreign students The study further analyzes the acquisition and errors related to frequency adverb usage from both grammatical and pragmatic viewpoints However, the analysis of 23 frequency adverbs limits the depth of the research findings.
The article "Analysis of the Application of Frequency Adverbs in Second Language Teaching" (2007) builds upon previous research and existing theories, focusing on the semantic analysis of how foreign students acquire Chinese frequency adverbs.
The analysis of current error patterns suggests that high-frequency adverbs with polysemous grammatical features should be taught by comparing their different meanings in a phased and hierarchical manner, organized by frequency levels Li Shu's study, "An Analysis of the Acquisition of Synonyms '常常' and '常'" (2007), investigates the order of acquisition and error patterns among Vietnamese students, concluding that "常常" is learned before "常."
1.2.2．“经常”、“往往”的研究现状及其存在的问题
"经常" and "往往" are frequently used adverbs of frequency in modern Chinese, with various dictionaries providing explanations of their grammatical meanings The "Modern Chinese Dictionary" (2005) defines "经常" as ordinary and frequent, while "往往" indicates situations that occur under certain conditions The "Newly Compiled Modern Chinese Dictionary" (2002) describes "经常" as daily and frequently occurring, while "往往" suggests occurrences that happen often The "Modern Chinese Function Words Dictionary" (2004) specifies "经常" as indicating repeated actions, while "往往" refers to situations that frequently exist Additionally, "Modern Chinese Eight Hundred Words" (2002) notes that "经常" emphasizes consistency, and "往往" signifies regular occurrences Overall, the explanations in these dictionaries do not sufficiently clarify the similarities and differences between the two terms.
So far, there has been no comprehensive and in-depth comparative study on the terms "frequently" and "often," with most articles focusing instead on the comparison between "often" and "usually."