Journal of Beijing International Studies University ›› 2014, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (4): 21-.

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Semantic Analysis of English Verb Pour in Generative Lexicon Theory

Peng Fang   

  1. College of Foreign Languages,Qufu Normal University,Qufu 273165,China
  • Received:2014-02-24 Online:2018-03-20 Published:2014-04-30

生成词库理论下英语动词pour的语义解读

彭 芳   

  1. 曲阜师范大学外国语学院 山东曲阜 273165
  • 作者简介:彭芳(1969~ ),女,山东兖州人,曲阜师范大学外国语学院副教授,主要研究方向为语义学,认知语言学。
  • 基金资助:
    本研究是国家社科基金项目“英汉词汇对比研究:认知语义视角”(11BYY114);教育部人文社科规划基金项目“英汉语运动事件词汇化的句法—语义接口功能及其类型学意义”(12YJA740061)的阶段性成果。

Abstract: Considering traditional dictionaries’ failure in accounting for language in use,this paper,from the perspective of Generative Lexicon (GL),aims at exploring dynamic meanings of English verb pour and  thus providing an  interpretation of  its contextual use.This paper deals with four types of constructions that the verb pour can enter and then semantic compatibility that their compositional elements should keep.First,the verb and preposition select  their arguments via generative mechanism of argument selection.In addition,compositional noun’s qualia structure exerts  its effect on  the verb’s  logic polysemy and  its syntactic behavior,such as verb of creation,verb of substance emission, verb of  throwing,etc.that  the verb pour  is specifed with and[N1 V N2],middle construction as well.It  is also pointed out that the precedence principle should be considered when we observe semantic compatibility.

Keywords: compositionality; generative mechanism of argument selection; qualia structure; semantic compatibility

摘要: 基于传统的词典释义往往无法对某些语言使用的实例进行充分的描述,本文运用生成词库理论的相关假设,探讨英语动词pour的动态语义并对语言使用的实例进行阐释。本文考察了英语动词pour的4种句法结构以及句法组合成分的语义匹配。研究发现,通过论元选择生成机制,动词和介词选择与之匹配的论元;组合名词的物性结构促成动词的逻辑多义,甚至影响动词的句法表现:如动词pour的“创造”义、“物质发散”义、“发射”义等的产生,以及对[N1 V N2]结构和中动结构的影响;动词与其组合论元的语义融合性需考虑组合成分优先作用次序。

关键词: 组合性, 论元选择生成机制, 物性结构, 语义融合性