This dissertation is based on the discussion from Bernard Comrie (1986), and Dancygier and Sweetser (2005); it categorizes the common types and analyzes the hypothetical degrees of Ruguo Constructions in Chinese daily conversation. In this study, Ruguo is approximately divided into three categories: Non-predictive Ruguo Constructions, Predictive Ruguo Constructions, and Counterfactuality Ruguo Constructions.
In Non-predictive Ruguo Constructions, the Experience and Cognitive Ruguo Constructions are conceptual structures immediately aroused by the speaker after being stimulated in conversational contexts or realities. Not only is it the prototype of all Ruguo Constructions, but also contains the basic level of Hypotheticality. In addition, we use different thinking abilities, such as accommodation and association, to compose four types: Logical Reasoning and Dialectical Ruguo Constructions, Non-predictive Speech-act Ruguo Constructions, Non-predictive Metaphor Ruguo Constructions, and Metalinguistic Ruguo Constructions.
Unlike Non-predictive ones, Predictive Ruguo Constructions are mainly used for the prediction of future events. In the condition space, the spacious situation is virtualized into new messages from potential possibility of real space, and it qualifies for a higher level of Hypotheticality. Besides, we can divide Predictive Ruguo Constructions into four types based on the degree of speakers’ subjective realization and expectation degrees in condition-space contexts: High Expectation and Neutral Realization, Low Expectation but Neutral Realization, High Expectation but Low Realization, and Low Expectation and Low Realization.
Finally, Counterfactuality Ruguo Constructions are emphasized from the perspective of opposing thinking ability. When creating conditional structures, they represent accommodation and oppose the highest level of Hypotheticality in Factual/
Counterfactual Ruguo Constructions and Counterfactual Speech-act Ruguo Constructions. Beside accommodation and opposing, Ruguo Constructions become more complicated when adding analogy into Non-factual/Counterfactual Ruguo Constructions. Also, through the method of Associative Substitution, Metaphorical Counterfactual Ruguo Constructions are completed.
This study aims to elucidate the thinking process of Chinese Ruguo Constructions from the perspective of cognition and then contributes to demonstrate the complete spectrum of Chinese Ruguo Constructions by induction.