The semantic and pragmatic analysis of ‘wo zhidao (I know)’ in fiction style

Abstract

In fiction style, ‘wo zhidao (I know)’ is used frequently, and it is often followed by a clause as object. When the verb ‘zhidao (know)’ means ‘to have information about something’, ‘wo zhidao (I know)’ is mainly used in the persuading and request speech act to indicate that the input information is accessible, or to make the potential information explicit. When the meaning of ‘wo zhidao (I know)’ changes from ‘certain information exist in my mind’ to ‘I believe certain information’, the subjectivity of ‘wo zhidao (I know)’ enhanced, we can consider it as a strong assertive predicate. In this case, ‘wo zhidao (I know)’ is mainly used in the reproach or reprimanded context to express the speaker’s belief and attitude.