THE SEMATICS AND PRAGMATICS OF "CHỈ", "MỖI" OPERATORS IN VIETNAMESE

Abstract

In this paper, we give the first overview and analysis of chỉ/ mỗi - “only” operator in Vietnamese. CHỈ/ MỖI operators are discussed across semantic and pragmatic categories. We concentrate in particular on the interpretation of “chỉ” and “mỗi”, both of which are modality operators, both of which are focus sensitive operators (focus sensitive particles - FSP). This article discusses strategies of expressing “chỉ/ mỗi” which have low assessment meanings and which are foci-sensitive of the information structure in Vietnamese sentences.