Spatial Frames of Reference and Topological Descriptions in Chinese Discourse

Abstract

Abstract: With the theories of spatial language by some Western scholars，this study explores how Chinese describes the location and orientation of a static entity in space by way of reference frames and topological relations. In light of the data drawn from natural discourses， the article has analyzed in detail the uses of spatial frames of reference and topological descriptions in Chinese. The findings show that：firstly, spatial frames of reference and topological relations are the basic ways of describing the locations or places of objects，and comparatively topological descriptions are more commonly used，probably due to the fact that in context it is easier to know where a Figure is when a nonprojective topological description is used. Secondly，it is often the case that ‘object-centered reference’ is a most frequent frame of reference and that ‘relations of contact，proximity，and inclusion’ are the more commonly coded topological relations. Thirdly，there are two general patterns in Chinese for describing the location and orientation of an entity in space：（1）Ground-Figure sequence，namely You/Shi-sentence pattern ‘prepositional Zai + Ground + Locative + You/Shi + Figure’ ；（2）Figure-Ground sequence，namely Zai-sentence pattern ‘Figure + Zai + prepositional Zai + Ground + Locative’ ．Finally，the You/Shi-sentence patterns are by far the more prevailing in discourse，which results from the ‘Ground preceding Figure’ principle at work. This study has important implications for language acquisition and language teaching.

Keywords: spatial frame of reference; topological description; You/Shi-sentence; Zai-sentence; ‘Ground preceding Figure’ principle

摘要： 本文借助国外空间语言理论探讨现代汉语怎样使用参照系和拓扑关系表达空间物体方位。根据采集的自然语料，本文对汉语空间参照系和拓扑表达式做了较详细的分析。分析结果显示：（1）空间参照系和拓扑关系是表达物体方位的基本方法，相比而言拓扑表达更常见，因为在给定语境中使用非投射的拓扑方法表达目标物位置，较有利于其识解；（2）“物本参照”是最常用的空间参照系，“接触、接近、包含关系式”是较常见的拓扑表达；（3汉语有两种表达物体方位的方式：①由“参照物”到“目标物”，即“有/是”句子结构：（介词）在+参照物+方位词+有/是+目标物；②由“目标物”到“参照物”，即“在”字句结构：目标物+在+（介词）在+参照物+方位词；4）“有/是”句子结构在语篇中具有压倒性优势，这是“参照物先于目标物”原则的作用使然。本文研究对语言习得和语言教学具有重大意义。

关键词: 空间参照系, 拓扑表达, “有/是”字句, “在”字句, “参照物先于目标物”原则

Liu Lijin. Spatial Frames of Reference and Topological Descriptions in Chinese Discourse[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2014, 36(10): 24-.

刘礼进. 汉语空间参照系和拓扑关系表达[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2014, 36(10): 24-.

References

［1］Bohnemeyer，J．Spatial Frames of Reference in Yucatec ：Referential Promiscuity and Tasks pecificity［J］．Language Sciences，2011，33（6）：892—914．
［2］Capistrán Garza，A．Locative and Orientation Descriptions in Tarascan ：Topological Relations and Frames of Reference［J］．Language Sciences，2011，33（6）：1006—1024．
［3］Danziger，E．Deixis，Gesture，and Cognition in Spatial Frame of Reference Typology［J］．Studies in Language，2010，34（1）：167—185．
［4］Evens，V．& P．Chilton．Language, Cognition and Space［M］．London ：Equinox，2010．
［5］Levinson，S．C．Frames of Reference and Molyneux’s Question ：Cross-linguistic Evidence［ A ］．P．B loom，M．A．Peterson，L ．Nadel & M．F．Garrett．Language and Space［C］．Cambridge，MA ：MIT Press，1996 ：109—169．
［6］Levinson，S．C．Space in Language and Cognition: Explorations in Cognitive Diversity［M］．Cambridge ：Cambridge University Press，2003．
［7］Levinson，S．C．& D．P．Wilkins．Grammars of Space: Explorations in Cognitive Diversity［C］．Cambridge ：Cambridge University Press，2006．
［8］Li，P．& L．Gleitman．Turning the Tables ：Language and Spatial Reasoning［J］．Cognition，2002，83（3）：265—294．
［9］O’Meara，C．Frames of Reference in Seri［J］．Language Sciences，2011，33（6）：1025—1046．
［10］O’Meara C．& G．Pérez Báez．Spatial Frames of Reference in Mesoamerican Languages［J］．Language Sciences，2011，33（6）：837—852．
［11］Pederson，E．How Many Reference Frames？［A］C． Freksa，W．Brauer，C．Habel& K．F．Wender．Spatial Cognition III: Routes and Navigation, Human Memory and Learning, Spatial Representation and Spatial Learning［C］．Berlin ：Springer，2003 ：287—304．
［12］Pérez Báez，G．Spatial Frames of Reference Preferences in Juchitán Zapotec［J］．Language Sciences，2011，33（6）：943—960．
［13］Polian，G．& J．Bohnemeyer．Uniformity and Variation in Tseltal Reference Frame Use［J］．Language Sciences，2011，33（6）：868—891．
［14］Romero Méndez，R．Spatial Frames of Reference and Topological Descriptions in Ayutla Mixe［J］．Language Sciences，2011，33（6）：915—942．
［15］Talmy，L．Lexicalization Patterns ：Semantic Structure in Lexical Forms［A］．T．Shopen．Language Typology and Syntactic Description. Grammatical Categories and the Lexicon, vol. III［C］．Cambridge ：Cambridge University Press，1985 ：57—149．
［16］Talmy，L. Toward a Cognitive Semantics, vol. I［M］.Cambridge，MA ：The MIT Press，2000．
［17］方经民．论汉语空间方位参照认知过程中的基本策略［J］．中国语文，1999（1）：12—20．
［18］方经民．论汉语空间区域范畴的性质和类型［J］．世界汉语教学，2002（3）：37—48．
［19］李雪．汉英移动事件移动主体和参照物表达对比［J］．外语教学与研究，2011（5）：689—701．
［20］刘丹青．汉语中的框式介词［J］．当代语言学，2002（4）：241—253．
［21］刘宁生．汉语怎样表达物体的空间关系［J］．中国语文，1994（3）：169—179．
［22］刘宁生．汉语偏正结构的认知基础及其在语序类型学上的意义［J］．中国语文，1995（2）：81—89．
［23］齐沪扬．现代汉语的空间系统［J］．世界汉语教学，1998（1）：22—33．
［24］沈家煊，王冬梅．“N 的V”和“参照体—目标”构式［J］．世界汉语教学，2000（4）：25—32．

[1]	Wang Yin. The Theory and Practice of Embodied-Cognitive Linguistics: Taking an Embodied-Cognitive Reference Point as an Example [J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2021, 43(3): 3-15.
[2]	Yu Xiujin, Wang Wei. A Typological Approach to Relative Clauses in Languages of Common Word Order Types [J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2020, 42(6): 24-43.
[3]	Yonggang ZHAO. Theoretical Studies on the Interaction at Syntax-Phonology Interface and Chinese Prosodic Hierarchy [J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2018, 40(2): 23-44.
[4]	Ma Zhigang. A Review of the Syntactic Derivations of tough-construction in English under the#br# Framework of Principles & Parameters#br# [J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2014, 36(2): 13-.