视觉动词SEE语法化的认知研究

论文摘要

语法化是有具体意义的语言形式转变为有语法意义和功能的语言形式的过程,或者有语法功能的语言形式获得更多的语法意义和功能的过程,表现为语音、语义和句法等层次上的系统性变化。初期的语法化研究主要运用结构主义语言学的观点侧重描写语法化过程中词语的语义变化。二十世纪七十年代后,随着语用学和认知语言学的出现,对语法化的研究重点逐渐转移到对语法化潜在机制和动因的研究。在所有的词语中,使用频率高的词汇往往具有更高的语法化倾向。人们最常用的词语之一是视觉动词。针对视觉动词语法化研究,本文选取英语中的视觉动词SEE作为个案,在事件认知模型的基础上,探索语法化过程中SEE在语义、意象图式以及句法层次上的变化。通过对以上三个方面的描写,本文旨在揭示SEE语法化过程中的特点和认知机制。根据Sweester的“三维空间”理论（Theory of Three Domains）,本文把SEE的所有义项进行了重新分类,分别为物理空间、心理空间和言语空间。同时,本文发现动词SEE的语义变化路径是在隐喻和转喻机制下,从物理空间拓展到心理空间,再由心理空间扩展到言语空间,即从表具体的视觉行为到表抽象关系的因果连接词。隐喻是在相似原则指导下不同空间之间的映射。在视觉动词SEE语法化的过程中,SEE在心理空间的意义是通过隐喻从它的物理空间意义映射而来的。相反,转喻是在同一个空间内起作用,通过语义重心的转移,部分代表整体以及行为方式和意图的转变等手段来拓展动词SEE的语义。意象图式是语言意义以概念结构的形式在人脑中的储存,是认知一个词语意义的基础。SEE的意象图式的拓展路径与其语义演变路径相同,也是从物理空间拓展到心理空间,最后到言语空间。SEE意象图式的拓展动因在于不同空间内“力”的演变：在物理空间,SEE表现的是一种单纯的视觉行为力；在心理空间,这种视觉行为力转变为心理感知力；在言语空间,SEE又表现为一种逻辑推理力。同时,值得注意的是,在这一拓展过程中,视觉力的演变不是一系列毫不相干的突变,而是一个渐进的连续体,可以表示为A----（A,B）----B。在语法化过程中,SEE的句法变化可以通过单一事件、连贯事件、嵌套事件和复杂事件的事件认知模型来实现。这一变化动因来源于对自然事件时间顺序的抽象,SEE所承接对象的生命度的高低以及人们识解客观场景时视角的区别。除了在语义,意象图式和句法方面的变化,SEE的语法化还体现了高度的主观化倾向,从客观描写性动词变为主观陈述性动词。尽管之前有些学者已经对视觉动词的语法化现象进行过研究,但大多数都是针对同一语言中不同视觉动词或跨语言的对比研究,很少把英语视觉动词SEE当成个案研究的对象。希望本研究对语义、意象图式和句法三方面的描写以及事件认知模型的构建能为视觉动词语法化以及语法化动因提供较为全面的描述和解释。

论文目录

• 摘要
• Abstract
• Chapter 1 Introduction
• 1.1 Definition of Grammaticalization
• 1.2 Previous Studies on Grammaticalization
• 1.3 Studies on Grammaticalization of Visual Verbs Abroad and at Home
• 1.4 Scope and Purpose of the Research
• 1.5 Theoretical Foundation
• 1.5.1 Semantic Perspective in Cognitive Linguistics
• 1.5.2 Syntactic Perspective in Cognitive Linguistics
• 1.5.2.1 Perspective
• 1.5.2.2 Specificity
• 1.5.2.3 Salience
• 1.5.3 Image Schema
• 1.5.4 Sweetser's Theory of Three Domains
• 1.6 Structure of the Thesis
• Chapter 2 Sense Changes of SEE and Grammaticalization
• 2.1 Senses of SEE and Model for Semantic Analysis
• 2.1.1 Different Senses of SEE
• 2.1.2 Analytic Model of Sense Changes in Grammaticalization
• 2.2 Sense Changes of SEE
• 2.2.1 SEE in Physical Domain
• 2.2.1.1 The Basic Sense of SEE
• 2.2.1.2 SEE as a Synonym of "Visit, Meet, Consult"
• 2.2.1.3 SEE as a Synonym of "Go with,Escort, Accompany"
• 2.2.1.4 SEE as a Synonym of "Find out, Discover, Check"
• 2.2.1.5 SEE as a Synonym of "Make Certain, Ensure. Ascertain"
• 2.2.2 SEE in Mental Domain
• 2.2.2.1 SEE as a Synonym of "Understand, Realize, Comprehend"
• 2.2.2.2 SEE as a Synonym of "Consider, Imagine, Regard"
• 2.2.2.3 SEE as a Synonym of "Witness, Experience, Go through"
• 2.2.3 SEE in Speech-act Domain
• 2.3 Mechanisms of Sense Changes of SEE
• 2.3.1 Metaphorization
• 2.3.2 Metonymization
• 2.3.2.1 Sense Changes Generated by Focus Shift of Semantic Elements
• 2.3.2.2 Typical Action Representing the Whole Event
• 2.3.2.3 Behavior Manner Mapped onto Behavior Intention
• 2.3.3 Changing Path of SEE's Senses
• 2.4 Summary
• Chapter 3 Extension of SEE's Image Schema in the Process of Grammaticalization
• 3.1 Force Image Schema
• 3.2 SEE's Image Schema Based on Force
• 3.2.1 Physical Base of SEE's Image Schema
• 3.2.2 Mental Base of SEE's Image Schema
• 3.2.3 Internal Structure of SEE's Image Schema
• 3.2.4 Extension of SEE's Image Schema
• 3.2.4.1 SEE's Image Schema in Physical Domain
• 3.2.4.2 SEE's Image Schema in Mental Domain
• 3.2.4.3 SEE's Image Schema in Speech-act Domain
• 3.3. Motivation of the Extension of SEE's Image Schema
• 3.3.1 Nature and Form of Visual Force
• 3.3.2 Changes of Visual Force
• 3.3.2.1 Behavioral Force of SEE
• 3.3.2.2 The Perceptional Force of SEE
• 3.3.2.3 The Inferential Force of SEE
• 3.4 Extension Path of SEE's Image Schema
• 3.5 Summary
• Chapter 4 Syntactic Structure of SEE in the Process of Grammaticalization
• 4.1 Event Cognitive Model of Syntactic Structure
• 4.2 Cognition of Syntactic Structure of SEE in Grammaticalization
• 4.2.1 Sentence Patterns of SEE
• 4.2.2 Cognitive Analysis of Syntactic Structure of SEE
• 4.2.2.1 Sole Event
• 4.2.2.2 Coherent Event
• 4.2.2.3 Nesting Event
• 4.2.2.4 Complex Event
• 4.3 Mechanisms of Syntactic Change of SEE
• 4.3.1 Animacy of the Object
• 4.3.2 Similarity between Concept and Experience
• 4.3.2.1 Formation of SEE's Sentential Structure in Grammaticalization
• 4.3.2.2 Change of SEE's Sentential Structure in Grammaticalization
• 4.3.3 Transformation of Perspective
• 4.4 Summary
• Chapter 5 Conclusions
• 5.1 Major Findings of the Study
• 5.2 Limitations of the Study
• Acknowledgements
• Bibliography
• Articles Published during MA Study