On the Lexicalization and Sentential Construal of Bounded and Unbounded Motion Events in English and Chinese

Abstract

Abstract: Based on an English-Chinese parallel corpus built by the author herself，this study observes the lexicalization and syntactic collation of the PATH concept of MOTION event．It shows that PATH lexicalization patterns in English and Chinese are of a Distributive nature．The PATH concept is lexicalized through many different classes of words and structures besides the verb roots，prepositions and particles． Other linguistic units such as particle phrases and constructions can also express the concept．Sometimes more than one linguistic units are combined to express a PATH concept．Besides，in expressing a PATH concept，English and Chinese have different sentence configuration patterns in demonstrating the contrast of BOUNDEDNESS and UNBOUNDEDNESS feature，which indicates the contrast of BOUNDEDNESS feature can be an important syntactic-semantic element in sentence construction．

Keywords: English-Chinese; Parallel Corpus; Motion Event; Path; Boundedness; Unboundedness

摘要： 本研究通过对英汉双语平行语料库的考察，发现英汉语路径概念的词化模式均呈分布性方式体现，路径概念不仅由动词或者介词来表达，而且还可以通过介副词短语、构式来表达。在句子层面，英汉路径概念可能由多个路径成分共同组合表达，体现出英语和汉语运动事件词化模式的复杂性。此外，在句子层面，英汉有界与无界路径概念语义的词化单位组织排列方式有很大区别，体现出概念结构语义“界态”的句法—语义接口功能。

关键词: 英汉双语, 平行语料库, 运动事件, 路径, 有界, 无界

Chen Jia. On the Lexicalization and Sentential Construal of Bounded and Unbounded Motion Events in English and Chinese[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2014, 36(6): 22-.

陈　佳. 论英汉运动事件的有界与无界词化模式和句子建构[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2014, 36(6): 22-.

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