The Grammatical Features and Functions of the Suffix zi (子) in Yishui Dialect

To form a noun,the suffix zi(子) in Yishui dialect can be added to the back of nouns or noun morphemes,verbs,adjectives or adjective morphemes,measure words,numerals,overlapping forms of nouns or measure words,verb-noun combinations,adjective-noun combinations and noun-measure combinations.Some suffix zi(子) adding to the back of nouns or verbs can also be added to the back of other nouns with the nouns or verbs before them as a whole.To form a measure word,the suffix zi(子) in Yishui dialect can be added to the back of measure words or overlapping forms of measure words.The suffix zi(子) in Yishui dialect has the grammatical functions of word-forming,changing the word-class,indicating the meaning of smallness,differentiating meanings and referring.