那

[SuperXW]

那 [simply used to introduce a question in speech]...

Well, 这……in fact，我想说，“那”实在是个画蛇添足的口头禅吧……？

Moderator Note:
This thread has been branched from here to be a dedicated space for discussing 那.

 

[Skatinginbc]

那 [simply used to introduce a question in speech] 客家話你講的是哪一種？

.
我倒能理解以下的說法:
A: 我在家只講客家話.
B: 那 [= 那麼 "then"--used as a cohesive device to link the previous statement with what is going to be said] 客家話你講的是哪一種？
==> 在這例子中, "那" 用來連貫 (to cohere), 而非引介 (to introduce)

這個 cohesive device 使對話更 "順" (連貫), 並非畫蛇添足. 缺少了它, 這對話聽起來就有點 choppy:
A: 我在家只講客家話.
B: 客家話你講的是哪一種？==> 問得有點突兀.

 

[SimonTsai]

And there is a question about '那' in another thread, where contents relating to '那' can be found in #7, #8, the first half of #9 and #10, and #11. Thank you for your reading.

用來連貫 (to cohere), 而非引介 (to introduce)

It seems to be a cohesive device introducing a question following on what was previously said.

 

[Skatinginbc]

there is a question about '那' in another thread (那，請問能不能給我們一壺茶？謝謝。)

In this example (那，請問能不能給我們一壺茶？), '那' is used to introduce a subject of conversation that is of present interest. That is to say, its main function is subject introduction, especially in form of a question (rather than "cohesion", i.e., connecting with something that has been said).