1. Introduction

Explored the universal laws of human language, particularly the universality and particularity of sentence length distribution in modern Chinese. The article mentions that the probability distribution characteristics of language structure generally conform to the "labor-saving principle", and points out that Chinese, as an isolated language, has special characteristics, such as "flowing sentences". Shen Jiaxuan emphasized the importance of Zhao Yuanren's "zero sentence theory", which means that sentences can be divided into whole sentences and zero sentences, with zero sentences having an advantage in daily use. Xing Fuyi further demonstrated the central position of zero sentences in the Chinese grammar system. As an important indicator of quantitative linguistics, sentence length is related to language complexity, type, and text features. The distribution of sentence length in natural language follows a regular pattern and exhibits a "long tail" feature. Although there have been studies on sentence lengths in different languages, there is little use of probability distribution models for fitting. This study aims to verify the universality of sentence length distribution in modern Chinese using quantitative linguistics methods, explore the specificity and cross genre differences of zero sentence length, in order to deepen our understanding of Chinese sentence structure and comprehend the universal characteristics of human language.

2. Corpus and Methods

Introduced the corpus selection and research methods for studying the distribution of sentence length in modern Chinese. Ten novel texts in different languages, including Chinese, Polish, German, as well as news, editorial, and prose texts in Chinese, were selected for cross language sentence length distribution comparison. The corpus is selected from the works of multiple Nobel laureates in literature and People's Daily, ensuring linguistic representativeness and excluding the influence of author style. Use Python programs to break down text into sentences and calculate sentence length. Use punctuation such as periods and question marks to divide sentences and calculate zero sentence length. Use h-point and R1 vocabulary richness indicators to analyze the relationship between sentence length and word frequency distribution, use QUITA software and Altmann Fitter software for calculation and fitting, and finally conduct correlation analysis using SPSS software.

3. Distribution pattern of sentence length

Explored the universality and particularity of sentence length distribution in modern Chinese. By using probability distribution models such as Extended Positive Negative Binomial Distribution (EPNB) and Superpascal Distribution, Chinese text data is fitted to verify whether the sentence length distribution conforms to the universal laws of human language. Research has found that the overall sentence length of various languages generally conforms to the distribution pattern described by the EPNB model, but the distribution of Chinese overall sentence length has the highest C and alpha values, with the greatest deviation from the EPNB distribution, which may be related to the habit of using Chinese punctuation marks. At the same time, the distribution of zero sentence length in Chinese is not fundamentally different from other languages, and the average zero sentence length is within the capacity of human working memory, indicating that the distribution of zero sentence length is more universal and may be better able to distinguish literary styles.

4. Stylistic differences in the distribution of Chinese sentence lengths

Through statistical and fitting analysis, the characteristics and differences in the distribution of whole sentence and zero sentence lengths in different genres of modern Chinese were explored. Research has found that the overall sentence length distribution of the four Chinese language genres can successfully fit the EPNB model, but there are differences between the genres. In novels, there are more short whole sentences, while in news and editorials, there are more long whole sentences, with an average sentence length in the range of 20-25 words. The entire sentence length of novels is the smallest, closer to spoken language, while the language style of news and editorials is more rigorous. The fitting effect between the zero sentence length distribution and the EPNB model is better than that of the entire sentence, and the differences between genres are more significant. Short zero sentences account for a higher proportion in novels and essays, while long zero sentences are more common in news and editorials. Zero sentence length distribution can better distinguish different literary genres. The research results indicate that there are stylistic differences between the distribution of whole and zero sentence lengths in Chinese, with zero sentence length distribution having a better distinguishing effect. This helps to deepen the understanding of the relationship between zero sentences and words, as well as the value and significance of zero sentences in Chinese sentence construction.

5. The Relationship between Zero Sentence Length and Word Frequency Distribution in Chinese

Explored the relationship between Chinese zero sentence length and word frequency distribution, and analyzed the impact of the richness of vocabulary and themes in the text on sentence length. Through Pearson correlation analysis, it was found that R1 vocabulary richness and h-point are significantly correlated with whole sentence and zero sentence length. The correlation between zero sentence length and word frequency distribution index is higher, indicating that zero sentences are closer to words in hierarchical structure. The higher the proportion of actual words in the text, the longer the zero sentences; The fewer high-frequency actual words, the more concentrated the theme, and the longer the zero sentences. The frequency distribution pattern of sentence length is the result of the compromise between expressing desire and the principle of effort saving, and sentences grow with the increase of text information. The game between the amount of information and the principle of effort between different literary genres forms zero sentences of different lengths. The distribution of sentence length in Chinese zero sentences is more in line with the model than the entire sentence length, and has a better effect in distinguishing literary styles, with a closer relationship with word frequency distribution. Chinese zero sentences are grammatical and pragmatic entities worth paying attention to, serving as the central structure between words and whole sentences. The concept of zero sentence emphasizes that Chinese sentences do not need to have a complete subject predicate and can be used independently. Zero sentences are a product of the pragmatic characteristics of Chinese language and exist independently in daily communication. Data analysis shows that zero sentences better reflect the cognitive game between information content and the principle of effort saving than whole sentences. At the pragmatic level, Chinese zero sentences are an important unit; At the grammatical level, it is also reasonable to place zero sentences between words and whole sentences. The linguistic universality in the distribution pattern of Chinese sentence length lies in the particularity of its pragmatics and grammar.

6. Conclusion

Through the analysis of 10 languages and different genres of Chinese texts using quantitative linguistics methods, it was found that the sentence length distribution generally conforms to the extended positive negative binomial distribution model. Chinese zero sentences have significant stylistic differentiation effects in sentence length distribution and are closely related to word frequency distribution. The distribution of sentence length in modern Chinese reflects both cross linguistic universality and uniqueness. Zero sentences have independent status in grammar and pragmatics, and are a key factor in studying the statistical rules of Chinese sentence structure. The research results reveal the commonalities and characteristics of sentence length distribution in Chinese, providing a foundation for further exploration.