上古漢語中出現「是」「之」加插「賓-動」間的句型,這種以「是」「之」作為形態標記的手段,是因應言談語用的需要而產生的,是一種焦點標記,將話題與評論區隔成兩部分,凸顯話題焦點。 對於「是」「之」的句中功能,歷來主要有兩種說法:一種是指示代詞,複指前置賓語。一種是助詞,作為賓語提前標記。本文從主語位置、否定詞位置、賓語類型、語義表達、其他相同語法功能詞的比較等面向切入,主張助詞說以駁指示代詞說。 標誌前置賓語的助詞「是」「之」來源是代詞,由代詞到助詞的演變,先發生在「是」字再類推至「之」字。格式化後,進入此條語言規律的詞彙增加,屬於擴展的演變機制。 有關「是」與「之」用法的比較,以《尚書》、《詩經》、《論語》、《左傳》、《孟子》作考察。發現春秋時期各種句式發展成熟,戰國初期內部結構複雜化,表現豐富多彩的語言風貌,到了戰國中晚期已經失去這種焦點移前規則。其中「是」式形成不少四字結構,格式固定化。「之」式以「O之謂」與「何O之有」兩種形式是主流,分別是論斷與反問的慣用語。
The purpose of this study is to discuss the sentence pattern with shi 是 and zhi 之occurring between the object and verb. Shi 是and zhi 之are focus markers, used for pragmatic reasons; they divide the sentence into two parts: topic and comment. In this way, the focus is highlighted. In the literature, the function of shi 是and zhi 之is treated either as a pronominal co-referring to the preposed object or as a particle for marking the preposed object. This paper supports the particle analysis of shi 是 and zhi 之and discusses this issue from three perspectives. The particle shi 是and zhi 之 originated as pronouns. The evolution from being a pronoun to being a particle first happened to shi 是, and zhi 之 was affected in anaology to shi 是. The lexicon increment is an extension mechanism. In addition, a comparison of the usage of shi 是and zhi 之is conducted based on Shangshu, Shijing, Lunyu, Zuoshuan and Mengzi. An interesting result is that a mature, diversified and complex usage had been exhibited from the Chunqiu period to Zhanguo period. It is found that shi 是 was mostly used in a structure with more than four words and that the pattern was generally formulated. Zhi 之had two main types, namely,”O Zhi 之 Wei謂” and ”He 何 O Zhi 之You 有”, the former expressing evaluative syntax and the latter expressing a rhetorical question.