On the Grammaticalization of Nanguai(难怪)

The verb nanguai(难怪) is the result of the lexicalization of the phrase nan(难) + guai(怪).The adverb nanguai(难怪),however,is not the result of further grammaticalization of the verb,since it has undergone a process of indirect-grammaticalization,i.e.firstly being in a syntactic position of an adverbial,and secondly transferring its grammatical function.The adverb of relation Nanguai(难怪) has been evolved from nanguai(难怪) the adverb of mood,influenced by the change of syntactic position(at the initial or end of a sentence).The paper points out that the grammaticalization of nanguai(难怪) is the result of the changes in syntactic position and following-up elements,together with the influence of pragmatic inference,the increase of the frequency of use and analogy.