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A Cognitive Study of the Polysemy of English Ditransitive Construction

Author: JinYuLan
Tutor: ShiZuoZhi
School: Hunan Normal University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: The English Ditransitive constructions Typical sense Atypical significance Metonymy Metaphor
CLC: H314.3
Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2011
Downloads: 88
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Abstract

Ditransitive constructions as a linguistic phenomenon in many languages. It occupies a unique position in the study of syntax and semantics, popular because of its uniqueness, the attention of linguists has become a focus of linguistic research. Far ditransitive construction-mainly from the following three perspectives: structuralism, generative grammar and cognitive linguistics. More or less three different angles showing the weaknesses and shortcomings. Structuralism focuses on discussion the double transitive verb classification, but the classification of its lack of uniform standards; the generative grammar focuses on discussion and cell ditransitive constructions conversion (which is generated on the basis of which is converted from failed to reach a unified consensus in the field of generative grammar); cognitive linguistics focuses on the role of the verb in the analysis of the overall significance of the constructions and constructions, but they ignore the role of the two noun phrases. Under the guidance of the construction grammar, the paper prototype, re-analysis of the ambiguity of the English ditransitive constructions and pointed out that this ambiguity phenomenon cognitive justifications. The Construction Grammar believe, the basic unit of the language is a structure type, form and meaning corresponding body. The structural formula is a gestalt concept and configuration-independent significance to its composition significance. As the structural formula of the basic unit of the language, it is the result of the conceptualization and categorization of the day-to-day events. In this thesis, using a method of analysis of the literature, the semantics of the English ditransitive constructions, and pointed out that the isomorphic Polysemy cognitive rationale. Based on previous studies, the papers of the English ditransitive construction-atypical significance reclassified and structure representations on the basis of this classification. The main conclusions of the paper are as follows: (1) English ditransitive constructions ambiguity generated cognitive justifications: the verb semantic framework and English ditransitive constructional meaning between conflicting. This ambiguity phenomenon is the result of the interaction between the two, that is, the verb meaning and constructional meaning mutual repression forced constructional meaning subtle changes have occurred, resulting in the generation isomorphic Polysemy. (2) English ditransitive constructions prototype significance successful for Patient transferred from the agent to the recipient or the agent deliberately Patient is transferred to the recipient, namely: the actual success of transfer (from the agent to the recipient ). (3) English ditransitive constructions atypical meaning is extended from two aspects: metonymic extensions and metaphorical extensions. Metonymy expansion has been subdivided into four sub-categories: transfer of the possibility of future transfer, reverse transfer and non-successful transfer. The possibility of the transfer in the subdivision subcategorization was subdivided into the transfer conditions are met, allowing the transfer of, and intent to transfer; successful transfer is subdivided to deny the transfer the, forgive mode and envy mode. (4) between the English ditransitive construction style typical significance with atypical by metonymy or metaphor linking by diffuse networks constitute a typical significance as the center of family resemblance. Previous studies focusing on discussion of the classification of double transitive verb as well as English and Chinese ditransitive constructions contrast. The papers from a cognitive perspective, with existing research results at home and abroad, the full analysis of the ambiguity of the English ditransitive constructions. Analysis of the prototype, is conducive to its atypical significance classification and typical sense to make a more definitive analysis and atypical meaningful relationship. This study hopes to provide reference material for future ditransitive constructions as well as other linguistic phenomena.

A Cognitive Study of the Polysemy of English Ditransitive Construction

Abstract

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