Event integration as a driving force of language change: evidence from Chinese 使-shǐ-make

IF 16.4 1区化学 Q1 CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Accounts of Chemical Research Pub Date : 2023-08-15 DOI:10.1017/langcog.2023.36

Na Liu, F. Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Talmy’s (1991; 2000a; 2000b) influential work on motion events provides a strong two-way typology that can examine and account for the typology of a language, but this framework is basically synchronic. It may not be equally valid to explain language change. In this paper, we apply the event integration theory and its latest development, The Macro-event Hypothesis (Li, 2020, 2023), to account for the development of the causative verb 使-shǐ-make (SHI for short) in Chinese. This study reveals that, firstly, the multi-functional behavior of SHI represents a typical case of grammaticalization, with a full verb acquiring the role of conjunction and expressing abstract meanings. Secondly, the semantic division of the causative and non-causative uses of SHI in Contemporary Chinese is the most clear-cut. Thirdly, causative SHI shows a greater level of semantic bleaching, and the construction profiles a single causal activity and has a higher degree of event integration when compared to its lexical verbal use. The constructional grammaticalization of SHI confirms that event integration is key to its development. This study verifies The Macro-event Hypothesis of a continuum of grammaticalization in language and uncovers the process of semantic gradation that takes place in Chinese.

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事件整合是语言变化的驱动力——来自汉语的证据使-sh-make

Talmy（1991；2000a；2000b）关于运动事件的有影响力的作品提供了一种强有力的双向类型学，可以检验和解释语言的类型学，但这种框架基本上是共时的。解释语言变化可能并不同样有效。在本文中，我们运用事件整合理论及其最新发展——宏观事件假说（李，20202203）来解释致使动词的发展使-在汉语中，shā-make（简称SHI）。本研究表明：第一，SHI的多功能行为代表了一个典型的语法化案例，一个完整的动词获得了连词的作用，表达了抽象的意义。第二，现代汉语中施使用法与非使用法的语义划分最为明确。第三，致使SHI表现出更高水平的语义漂白，与词汇言语使用相比，该结构描述了单一的因果活动，并具有更高程度的事件整合。SHI的结构语法化证实了事件整合是其发展的关键。本研究验证了语言语法化连续体的宏观事件假说，揭示了汉语的语义分级过程。

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来源期刊

Accounts of Chemical Research 化学-化学综合

CiteScore

31.40

自引率

1.10%

发文量

312

审稿时长

2 months

期刊介绍： Accounts of Chemical Research presents short, concise and critical articles offering easy-to-read overviews of basic research and applications in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry. These short reviews focus on research from the author’s own laboratory and are designed to teach the reader about a research project. In addition, Accounts of Chemical Research publishes commentaries that give an informed opinion on a current research problem. Special Issues online are devoted to a single topic of unusual activity and significance. Accounts of Chemical Research replaces the traditional article abstract with an article "Conspectus." These entries synopsize the research affording the reader a closer look at the content and significance of an article. Through this provision of a more detailed description of the article contents, the Conspectus enhances the article's discoverability by search engines and the exposure for the research.