A Comparative Study on the Sentence Expression of Causative in Qingwen Zhiyao Manchu and Chinese Versions (in Chinese)

Abstract

Manchu causative sentence is formed by the affix “bu” after the verbal root. The causee has objective case mark “be” or dative case mark “de”, and constitutes causative sentence formed as “S+N+be/de+V(-bu-)”. This research discusses the expression of the affix "bu" in the translation of Manchu into Chinese in QingWenZhiYao Manchu and Chinese versions. It is found that in Manchu causative sentence, the absence of causee, marked or not, and animacy hierarchy directly lead to three strategies in Chinese translation: explicit causation, implicit causation and non-causation. The transitivity of verbs affects the choice of causation or permission in Chinese translation. This shows the affix “bu” is a prominent feature in Manchu causative sentence. The early Chinese version was greatly influenced by Manchu. The rewriting of Beijing Mandarin followed the basic characteristics of the causative sentence pattern and was more inclined to the oral expression of northern Chinese in the late Qing Dynasty.