Discussion on the "Degree" of adjectives in Chinese and their reduplication mechanism

Abstract

The study of parts of speech, particularly adjectives, holds significant value in linguistics due to its numerous practical applications, including lexicography, curriculum design, and pedagogical methodologies. In Chinese grammar, adjectives exhibit intricate and debated characteristics, especially concerning their "degree" including the extent, intensity, or scope of the attribute they convey. Investigating the "degree" of adjectives contributes to a deeper understanding of their syntactic and semantic interactions with other grammatical components, thereby optimizing instructional strategies. This research categorizes Chinese adjectives into distinct subtypes, such as gradable adjectives, absolute adjectives, extreme adjectives, and evaluative adjectives. Each category demonstrates unique syntactic behaviors, including varying degrees of compatibility with adverbs and the potential to undergo reduplication processes (lexical reiteration). Furthermore, this study provides pedagogical insights into the "degree" property of adjectives and proposes grammar exercises aimed at reinforcing students’ proficiency in applying adjectives within diverse linguistic contexts.