Semantic Analysis of V2 in Japanese V1+V2 Compound Verbs that Express Vertical Direction: A Comparison with Chinese Directional Complements
Date Issued
2009
Date
2009
Author(s)
Chen, Yi-Ting
Abstract
The vertical direction is an especially important concept in human spatial cognition. We humans understand abstract concepts such as time and the positions by utilizing the concept of a spatial vertical direction. The purpose of this thesis is to perform semantic analysis to elucidate the semantic extension process and the polysemy structure of V2 in Japanese V1+V2 compound verbs and Chinese directional complements that express vertical direction. And then analyze the result of semantic analysis in order to investigate the difference of the spatial cognition of both languages. Based on the approach of cognitive linguistics, this thesis clarified the semantic extension mechanism and the polysemy structure. And the results of the contrastive analysis are summarized as follows:. Japanese V2 that express the direction of rise are divided into the one that the focus was put on a positional change and the one that the focus was put on the path. On the other hand, Chinese does not have such a distinction. . By focusing on different aspects, Japanese V2 that express the direction of descent vary. Meanings extended from each verb are various, and formed a complicated system. On the other hand, Chinese does not have such a complex distinction like Japanese. Chinese uses a single direction complement “V-sia”, and its meanings are less than Japanese. . Chinese “V-shang” is extended from the basic meaning “Rise” to metaphorical meaning “Advancement”. This is due to “Perception of the depth” which is one of the mechanisms of man''s sight. However, the meaning "Advancement" is not included in the meanings of Japanese V2 that express the direction of rise. It appears that it is because the verb "SUSUMU" which express “Advancement” in Japanese exists. “-SAGARU” has the meaning “Move Backwards” in Japanese V2 that express the direction of descent. This is due to the mechanism “Perception of the depth”. On the contrary, the meaning “Move Backwards” is not included in the meanings of Chinese “V-sia”. It appears it is because place noun related to “V-sia” expresses “SOURCE” excluding the limited places such as “Sea, river, water, well, and trap”. Therefore, it is against the mechanism "Perception of the depth".
Subjects
Semantic analysis
Semantic extension
Polysemy Structure
Compound Verb
directional complement
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