A comparison of Cantonese and Mandarin mensural classifiers from the perspectives of semantics and syntax

Abstract

Whilst Cantonese and Mandarin derive from the same linguistic family (the Sinitic branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family), they nonetheless show some important differences in their semantics and syntax. However, only a few studies analyze the distinctions, and even fewer focus on mensural classifiers. Therefore, the present research attempts to carry out a comparative study on the semantics and syntax of mensural classifiers in Cantonese and Mandarin in an attempt to outline the differences in mensural classifier behavior between the two languages.

Two compatible sources of data are used for the study: the Lancaster Corpus of Mandarin Chinese and a Cantonese online novel, 三世書不會記載的事. Mensural classifiers are categorized into four types according to Killingley’s classifications (1983). Analysis of the data reveals that both languages share some common mensural classifiers both in their calligraphy and semantic specifications. However, there are cases when some classifiers are distinct in expressing meanings or have different word classes in another language. Likewise, although Cantonese and Mandarin mensural classifier structures share some common sequencings, there are important differences. Moreover, some structures also have several variants in the data. To analyze differences in syntactic ordering, reference needs to be made to the propositions of sentences as well. Apart from the internal structures, the study finds that bare classifier structures in Mandarin are restricted to object positions while in Cantonese they are not. The study is only a preliminary investigation: clearly more data would need to be recruited to provide the basis for a more detailed and comprehensive account.