Authors
- Bankova Liudmila L. PhD (Philology), docent
Annotation
The study proves relevant due to the complications in differentiating and using the two numerals denoting «two» — and — within the set of rod numbers in the Chinese language in the absence of works considering pragmatic, philosophical and historical (diachronic) aspects of the subject matter. The existence of the numerals under analysis rests on the fact that due to the absence of the grammatical category of number the Chinese language segments the world into sets and subsets of things as opposed to multitudes of things and individual things. Within such a rendition («two») is seen as a self-sustained whole whereas («two») — as its constituent element. Since ancient times character («two») has been denoting a rod number, a sum and orderliness. With regard to character («two») one may note its ability, as a numeral, to identify naturally coupled things and phenomena already in Old Chinese. Later, another function was added: to denote similar and equal things and phenomena. The contemporary stage of the Chinese language development observes a tendency to change the earlier-established norms of differentiating between and using numerals («two») and («two»). Indicatively, in some cases one of the analyzed numerals may be replaced by the other under the Old Chinese rules of application. The development of mass-communication media determines the blurring of dialectic differences wherein these lexical items begin to be used in their unusual areas of application. The paper analyzes the cases of practical application of numerals («two») and («two») along with the critical evaluation of the issues arising therefrom.
How to link insert
Bankova, L. L. (2025). CHINESE NUMERALS DENOTING «TWO»: PHILOSOFYCAL, DYACHRONICAL AND PRAGMATIC ASPECTS Bulletin of the Moscow City Pedagogical University. Series "Pedagogy and Psychology", 1 (57), 148. https://doi.org/10.24412/2076-913X-2025-157-148-165
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