The Comparative Study On Chinese Directional Motion Event Cluster And Their English Equivalent Cluster

The cognitive components of motion event structure are universal, but they are not expressed in the same way in all languages. Directional motion event was commonly studied by many researchers. When it comes to cross-linguistic perspective, the type expressing motion event was often not discussed in detail. They are basically attached to some other grammatical studies. Since21st century, scholars started to study different verbs from their function. We have found out an effective way to compose a modern Chinese motion event cluster and their English equivalents that are built on the Synset-Allolexeme Theory and Semantic Primitive Structure, so that we can investigate thoroughly and explain the internal conceptual structure of this relatively complete system. The whole dissertation constructs the following five parts:Part One is the first chapter which introduces the background and the significance of this topic. We not only analyze the previous studies but also summarize the main research of every stage. At the end of this part, we mention the tend of this research and the language data and standard used here.Part Two is the second chapter we set ourselves the ambitious target of constructing conceptual system of Chinese and English directional motion event clusters. At first we propose "Synset-Allolexeme" is the foundation of semantic system, and point out that primitive structure is a kind of conceptual structure. When people are trying to understand some words, they actually comprehend the deep concept structure of those words. The semantic concept structure is the basis of a synset which is described by basic lexeme and allolexeme. Based on the semantic primitives, motion event clusters are the sets of three appositional clusters and their allolexemes. All the members of motion event cluster are divided into three categories according to their semantic concept:Basic Category, Directional Category, and Manner Category. We may use "yi" to represent the gene concept of Chinese motion event cluster. An English equivalents event cluster is constructed after the Chinese motion event cluster,.Part Three is the third chapter that discusses the Chinese directional motion event cluster is a kind with some directional characteristics which reflects various natures of motion actions. In our research, Chinese motion event cluster includes two different subcategories:one is Type Straight Course; the other is Type Curving Course. Each anamorphose is composed of smaller types and can be described by12semantic features. Semantic primitive structures and examples are listed together to interpret each allolexeme.Part Four is the fourth chapter investigates English equivalent cluster qualitatively and quantitatively. The same as Chinese motion event cluster, the English equivalent cluster includes many members. After we analyze this type, two different anamorphoses are given:one is Type Straight Course; the other is Type Curving Course. Each anamorphose of smaller types has its own primitive structure by some features extracting from12event elements and is illustrated with particular sentences. Those English equivalent clusters are compared with Chinese motion event clusters based on event primitives. Part Five is the last chapter which draws a safe conclusion. The main theme of this part is to present creative points and the conclusion of this study. There is still much debate on this research showing that the future work is needed.