The Role of Lăo老in the Noun Evolution in Middle Chinese Grammar

Abstract

The paper is to examine Chinese noun evolution by means of Lăo老in Middle Chinese Grammar. In this context, Lăo老 is introduced firstly which constitutes notional words instead of prefixes. Then, related examples are given and analyzed in accordance with their constituent role. It is found that lăo老 became a prefix after the Six Dynasties, which is articulated with five concrete contexts of its usage. The roles of lăo老 act as evolutional features of noun in Middle Chinese grammar.