From Usage to Construction: A Cognitive Linguistic Study on the Polysemous V-kai Resultative Verbs in Mandarin Chinese
Date Issued
2009
Date
2009
Author(s)
Wang, Ben Pin-Yun
Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to draw the insights from Cognitive Linguistics to examine the grammar of Mandarin resultative verbs by zooming in on the specific class of V-kai constructions. With a bottom-up empirical approach, the present study first scrutinizes systematically the usage patterns pertinent to V-kai resultative verbs based on corpus data. Then the multiple, related meanings of postverbal –kai observed from the usage of V-kai complex verbs are examined. Finally, the taxonomy of V-kai constructions has been established according to their similarities and variations in syntax, semantics and pragmatics.irstly, this study adopts a corpus-oriented usage-based approach to the distribution and productivity of V-kai resultative verbs, applying the quantitative techniques of both collocational and frequency analysis. By classifying the verbal collocates of –kai on the basis of their associated semantic frames, this study has recognized regular patterns of meaning integration in V-kai resultative verbs. Moreover, the observation that the verbal collocations within V-kai resultative verbs come in different strengths accords with the experience-driven, probabilistic view of grammatical generalizations. The frequency analysis conducted in this study further indicates that while high token frequency results in lexicalization of V-kai complex verbs, high type frequency leads to schematization of V-kai constructions. Accordingly, the routinized patterns of V-kai schemas that vary in their specificity and generality serve as a representative illustration of the continuum between lexicon and grammar that characterizes a usage-based conception of language.n addition, following the model of Principled Polysemy, this thesis has identified the Sanctioning Sense and four distinct senses of the postverb –kai in resultative verbs, constructing a radial semantic network to explain the underlying cognitive-pragmatic principles of its meaning extensions. Specifically, we have illuminated the significance of perspective-taking as well as real-world force dynamics in the conceptual structure of Mandarin resultative verbs. Moreover, this study has shown that, while –kai pertains to four conventionalized lexical concepts, the exact interpretation assigned to the postverb is constrained and delimited by its sentential context. In other words, we have unveiled the distributed and context-sensitive nature of the meaning construction of Mandarin resultative verbs. rom a constructionist point of view, this study has argued that, on the basis of the family resemblances in their forms and meanings, V-kai complex verbs constitute a family of constructions that can be classified into four types of resultatives. Different types of V-kai constructions are found to involve conceptual conflation of events across distinct domains and thus pertain to different interpretations. We also observe that at the level of linguistic expression, –kai determines most of the complement structure, aspectual structure, upshot of the clauses V-kai constructions occur in, which point to the conceptual saliency of the postverb in macro-events expressed by V-kai resultative verbs. In sum, this case study illuminates the conceptual basis for the taxonomy of Mandarin resultative verbs in general.t is hoped that the findings of this comprehensive study specifically on V-kai constructions can elucidate the systematic, cognitive-functional properties of resultative verb generally and further our understanding to the authentic usage of these productive grammatical templates in Mandarin Chinese.
Subjects
cognitive linguistics
construction grammar
cognitive routinization
event conflation
meaning extension
Principled Polysemy
resultative verb
usage-based model
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