祈使句中情态标记“吧”和“了”的比较研究 = A Comparative Study of the Modal Particles “Ba（吧）”and “Le（了）” in Imperative Sentences

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

In modern Chinese imperative sentences, modal particles are often used to soften the tone, which aligns with the principle of polite communication. For example, the use of “Ba（吧） and “Le（了）” as modal particles at the end of imperative sentences can be omitted without affecting the meaning of the sentence. Therefore, there are also situations where “Ba（吧）” and “Le（了）” can be interchangeable. However, the use of modal particles is not merely for softening the tone; they also carry the function of expressing modality and are influenced by pragmatic factors.
The role relationships in language behavior can also influence the choice of “Ba（吧）” and “Le（了）” in conversation. In equal relationships, the use of “Ba（吧）” and “Le（了）” is relatively free, allowing speakers to choose based on the context and the mood they wish to express. However, in power dynamics, while the more powerful party has more freedom in using “Ba（吧）” and “Le（了）”， they often use “Ba（吧）”out of politeness. Conversely, the less powerful party tends to use "了" much less frequently in imperative sentences. When they do use it, they often accompany it with polite expressions or employ it in urgent contexts.