Abstract
Based on the Wanli Version of Lizhi Ji “The Tale of the Litchi”, a play written in Chaozhou and Quanzhou dialects in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, we provide a statistical analysis of the demonstratives, namely tsi53 (只), h?53 (許), tsi)o)213 (障), and hi)o)213 (向), the latter two being partially derived from the former two. Our focus is on the distribution and functions of these demonstratives. The semantic change from the basic use to place, time, manner, and degree will also be discussed.