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The Final Particle Fwu

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 December 2009

A. C. Graham
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Extract

The Chinese demonstrative fwu has recently been examined in an article by Dr. B. Schindler.1 The use of as a final particle is, however, discussed only in connexion with the combination and Schindler does not commit himself to a definite decision as to its function. That the final f￡ deserves a detailed investigation is sufficiently shown by a glance at the definitions given by standard Western authorities:

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Articles
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Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , February 1955 , pp. 120 - 132
Copyright
Copyright © School of Oriental and African Studies 1955

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References

page 120 note 1 ‘Grammatical Notes No. 2, ’, (Asia Major, new series, vol. m, part 2, July, 1953, 162–168).

page 120 note 2 Jingjuann Shyhtsyr (Shyuesheng gwoahyue tsongshu ) 10/35.

page 120 note 3 Menqtzyy jenqyih (Basic Sinological Series ) 6/64.

page 121 note 1 Tsyrchyuan (Commercial Press, 1928) 1/46. Chyan Dahshin (1728–1804) argued in his essay Originally there were no’ ‘light lip’ sounds that words with an initial F- were originally pronounced B- or P- (Shyrjiahjai yeangshin luh Basic Sinological Series 101–111). This does not refer to ; if Chyan Dahshin ever dealt specifically with I have failed to trace the reference. The work of Uang Rongbao is inaccessible to me.

page 121 note 2 In Some Reflections on the Difficulty of Translation (Studies in Chinese Thought, American Anthropological Association Memoir No. 75, Dec, 1953, p. 276), Achilles Fang also observes that is more or less a colloquial counterpart of the final ’. The equation of and has also been suggested by Peir Shyuehae Guushu shiutzyh jyi-shyh (Commercial Press, 2nd ed., 1935), p. 881.

page 123 note 1 Harvard-Yenching Sinological Index Series: Yihjing, Shyjing, Tztioojuann, Analects, Mencius, Mohtzyy, Juangtzyy, Shyuntzyy. Morimoto Kakuzo Shisho sahuin (1933), Gokyo sakuin vol. in (1944). Tsay Tynggann Laojiee Lao 1922.

page 124 note 1 It will be observed that the combination (Nos. 6, 36, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 49) does not affect the functions either of (perfective) or of . Since following a negative implies ‘no more’ ‘no longer’, the literal translation would be ‘Our death will no longer have a day, will it?’

page 124 note 2 The Kambun Sosho (Yuhodo ) has been chosen as the edition which is least frequently satisfied with the conventional equivalent kana. Where its reading is not quoted, it is to be assumed that is either read as kana or ignored.

page 124 note 3 The combination (Nos. 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 20–32, 34, 35, 46) does not affect the function either of (‘It is that… ’ ‘It is because… ’) or of Schindler, however, deals with this combination without discussing the final in isolation. According to a communication from E. v. Zach printed in Schindler' article, in ‘the must be interpreted causally as is the case frequently in the Tso-chuan, whereas probably functions here as a definite particle similar to the clause concluding (cf. [Gabelentz, ut sup.] §482 “dies bedeutet, dies ist …”); could not be used for that purpose as otherwise two would have followed one another’ (ut sup. 167). But, apart from the implausibility of equating with the ‘clause concluding ’, is there any reason to suppose that the two functions of the final are as sharply distinct as this explanation assumes?

page 128 note 1 Jingyih shuhwen Basic Sinological Series, 749.

page 128 note 2 Chuenchiou tzuoojuann jenqyih Syhbuh beyyaw 47/4A/1. On the strength of this passage from the Tzuoojuann alone, Sehindler suggests that can be used to express either doubt or certainty, in accordance with ‘that characteristic feature of Chinese which allows contrasts (or gradations of meaning) to be expressed by one and the same word ‘ (ut sup. 167).

page 128 note 3 Arthur Waley, The Analects of Confucius, 1938.

page 129 note 1 Another case in which the placing of ^Sj is significant is found in Mencius:— No. 49. Legge, 329/4 Tzyyjwo Ru said,’To-day I am ill, and cannot hold my bow. Shall I not die?’ He asked his driver, ‘Who is it that is pursuing me?’ His driver said, ‘It is Yeugong Sy’. He said ’ I shall live ‘. If were an exclamatory particle, it would be as appropriate after the latter assertion (expressing relief that he will live) as after the former (expressing his emotion at the prospect of death).

page 131 note 1 Similarly generally translated ‘ Alas ‘, means ‘ Is it not sad? ‘ In Juangtzyy, where the phrase occurs ten times, it seems to be more or less interchangeable with cf. Harvard-Yenching Concordance 61/22/82 Is it not sad that we cannot prevent the coming of sorrow and joy, nor stop them leaving? 4/2/19 Is it not sad that, harassed by the wear and tear of life, nothing can stop us going at a gallop towards extinction?

page 131 note 2 The final is not found in the Shyjing, the Shujing and Mohtzyy. It occurs twenty-two times in Juangtzyy (including ten cases of ), six times in the Liijih (all in the Tarngongand the Jongiong), twice in the Yihjing (both in the Shihtsyr), twice in Mencius, twice in Shyuntzyy,once in the Dawderjing

page 131 note 3 B. Karlgren, Grammata Serica, 1940, No. 101

page 131 note 4 Mandarin Primer, 1948, p. 59. I am indebted to Mr. B. G. D. Malmquist for pointing out this parallel, and to Professor W. Simon for suggesting the possibility of fusion with rather than, as I had previously been inclined to suppose, with