「即」、「便」、「就」時間副詞功能的形成

The Formation of the Temporal Adverbs Ji, Bian, and Jiu

「即」、「便」、「就」是漢語史上經常相提並論的高頻副詞，三詞均兼具承接副詞與立即義時間副詞這兩種功能。雖然多數學者認可三詞這兩種功能間的傳承關係，然而哪個功能先出仍存在爭議。本文將著重探討「即」、「便」、「就」時間副詞功能的形成，揭示三詞均經歷「動詞＞承接副詞＞時間副詞」此一演變路徑，而這點與學界的主流觀點正好相反。基於詳細的歷史考察，文中將指出三詞這兩種功能出現時代均有先後之別，且從承接到立即的演變一致受到四種用法的推動。不過，時間副詞的語法化程度是否要低於承接副詞？亦即，本文所提演變路徑是否違背單向性假設？文末將提出三方面論證來消解此一質疑，並指出三詞實非一般時間副詞，而是具備了時態助詞的特性。

In Chinese, the three high frequency adverbs ji, bian, and jiu, are often discussed together, since they can all function as consecutive adverbs and temporal adverbs indicating ‘immediate, right away’. Most scholars agree that the two functions of these adverbs are evolutionally related, but which function emerged earlier is still in debate. This paper is going to study the formation of the temporal function of ji, bian, and jiu, and argue that the three words were undergoing the following grammaticalization: {verbs > consecutive adverbs > temporal adverbs}, a sequence contrary to common opinion. Based on thorough historical investigation, the paper will specify the period when each adverbial function of the three words emerged and also indicate that all three of the changes from consecutive to temporal adverb are triggered by four usages. However, it is still doubtful whether the temporal adverb is less grammaticalized than the consecutive adverb; in other words, whether the path we advocate contradicts the hypothesis of unidirectionality. At the end of the report, we present three absolutely conclusive pieces of evidence to erase all doubt and argue persuasively that the three adverbs are undeniably more like aspect particles than temporal adverbs.