East Asian Linguistics Workshop: "Graduate Student Talks & Data-Sharing Workshop"

We would like to invite you to join us for an upcoming East Asian Linguistics Workshop event "Graduate Student Talks & Data-Sharing Workshop" featuring two of our own EALC-affiliated PhD students, Ya-Ting Tsai (PhD student in Chinese Linguistics) and Jingjing Yang (Visiting Student Researcher from Tongji University). After Ya-Ting and Jingjing's presentations, we'll open up the floor for everyone else who desires to receive feedback on in-progress research from peers, so you are most welcome to bring your own questions, ideas, and data from your own project for this segment of the event. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 6 from 4:30-6PM (Pacific, USA) in East Asia Library Room 338. 

Dinner will be served to registrants afterward. If you are interested in this event, please complete this Google form, or email me at harumi56 [at] stanford.edu (harumi56[at]stanford[dot]edu), to sign up by 11:59pm (Pacific) on Monday, March 4.

Abstract

by Ya-Ting Tsai

"Reality as a Strong Assertion: Exploring you as a Realis Marker in Taiwan Mandarin through Communicative Modalities"

This paper explores the you + VP construction in Taiwan Mandarin, redefining you as a realis marker based on the speaker's subjective certainty. Departing from traditional classifications, it leverages Givón’s communicative modalities framework, emphasizing the speaker's epistemic state and communicative goals. Originating in Taiwan and diffusing to Mainland China, the you + VP construction initially deviated from Cantonese and Southern Min norms. While previous studies outlined collocational restrictions, recent research suggests a diminishing adherence. By viewing you as a realis marker grounded in the speaker’s belief, this paper offers a comprehensive explanation for its widespread use, particularly in future contexts.