语法化理论下英汉情态动词CAN和能的对比研究

论文摘要

本文从语法化的视角,试对英汉情态动词can和能进行对比分析。学者们已经从不同的角度对情态动词进行了研究,但是仍然有很大的空间值得去探索。传统的对比研究从共时层面对英汉情态动词can和能进行穷尽性的描述,试图找出语言的相同和差异之处。他们只注重静态的描述忽略了语言的动态演变,因而不能很好的解释情态动词各义项的关系,也不能从本质上分析语言相似性产生的原因。因此,本文将从新的视角对情态动词进行研究和分析。本文不仅要探讨两个情态动词语法化演变过程中的相同和差异之处,还要挖掘语义演变背后的认知动因和机制,弥补了前人研究的不足。在该理论框架下,本文从语料库中搜罗真实的语料,从历时的角度对英汉情态动词can和能语法化路径、机制、演变过程中的相同和差异等方面进行分析。通过研究,发现了英汉两种语言具有很多相似的语义演变机制,进而可以帮助我们更好地了解英汉两种语言的语义特征。基于人类共同的认知能力,语法化的机制可以为今后语言共性研究提供有价值的线索。

论文目录

• ABSTRACT
• 摘要
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
• 1.1 Motivation of the present study
• 1.2 Objectives of the present study
• 1.3 Organization of this thesis
• CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW
• 2.1 Definitions and classifications of modal verbs can and neng
• 2.2 Previous studies on English and Chinese modal verbs can and neng
• 2.3 Limitations of previous studies and originality of the present study
• CHAPTER THREE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY
• 3.1 Grammaticalization and its features
• 3.1.1 Definition of grammaticalization
• 3.1.2 Features of grammaticalization
• 3.1.3 Mechanisms of grammaticalization
• 3.2 Data collection and research methodology
• 3.3 Research questions of the study
• CHAPTER FOUR A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF CAN AND NENG BASED ON GRAMMATICALIZATION
• 4.1 Semantic development of can
• 4.1.1 Can in Old English Stage
• 4.1.2 Can in Middle English Stage
• 4.1.3 Can in Modern English Stage
• 4.2 Semantic development of neng
• 4.2.1 Neng in Old Chinese Stage
• 4.2.2 Neng in Middle Chinese Stage
• 4.2.3 Neng in Modern Chinese Stage
• 4.3 Comparative analyses of can and neng based on the grammaticalization theory
• 4.3.1 Evolutionary similarities between English-Chinese modals can and neng
• 4.3.2 Evolutionary differences between English-Chinese modals can and neng
• 4.4 Mechanisms and motivations behind the evolutionary similarities and differences of English and Chinese modal verbs can and neng
• 4.4.1 Mechanisms for their evolutionary similarities
• 4.4.2 Motivations for their evolutionary similarities
• 4.4.3 Mechanism for their evolutionary differences:metaphor
• CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSION
• 5.1 Major findings
• 5.2 Theoretical and practical implications
• 5.3 Limitations and future research
• REFERENCES