A Constructional Analysis and Pragmatic Functions of the Expression “Who is as X as you”

Abstract

The construction “shéi yǒu nǐ X” (“who is as X as you”) is a relatively common expression in everyday discourse. It consists of the fixed component “shéi yǒu nǐ” (“who has/is like you”) and a variable embedded component “X.” It is generally assumed that the overall meaning of “shéi yǒu nǐ X” is inferred from the non-referential (non-specific) and negative meanings of the interrogative pronoun shéi (“who”), such that the construction is interpreted as “no one is more X than you.” However, based on observations from daily communication, the author finds that in certain specific contexts, “shéi yǒu nǐ X” does not simply convey the meaning “no one is more X than you,” but additionally carries an ironic sense, expressing a particular counter-expectational meaning. This meaning can only be realized at the level of the construction as a whole and cannot be directly inferred from any individual component. This paper analyzes the characteristics of the components of the “shéi yǒu nǐ X” construction, with particular emphasis on the construction when it conveys counter-expectational meaning, and discusses its ironic pragmatic functions in concrete contexts.