The Study Of The Solidification Structure Of Ancient Chinese Upon The Perspective Of The Construction Grammar

Consolidated structure is a pervasive phenomenon in human language. There is no doubt that some complicated and special grammatical constructions that are similar to the idioms in traditional grammar do exist in any kind of language. Similarly, a host of consolidated structure exists in Chinese grammatical system.we find that there is not much discussion about the consolidated structure in ancient Chinese among the academic circles and much of this study still stays on the traditional analytical mode which treats consolidated structure as a result of static description and analysis to its component. This analytical method does have advantages but it splits the integrality of structure, causing that many problems can not be explained. The birth of construction grammar theory effectively solves these problems at the end of 1980 s.This paper focuses on the consolidated structure in ancient Chinese from the vision of construction grammar through a combination of synchronic and diachronic as well as discusses grammaticalization process,motivations and mechanisms of the consolidated structure.This paper consists of eight chapters.The first chapter is introduction. This chapter starts with the existing problems of the research and focuses on object of study,research target,research significance,theoretical background,research method, sources and symbol description.The second chapter is research situation. This chapter mainly reviews the research situation of construction grammar at home and abroad and Chinese consolidated structure as well as assesses the existing problems and deficiency.The author examines the whole outlook of consolidated structure in ancient Chinese from the synchronic level in Chapter 3.In the first place, rectification of name is conducted to the confusions of terminology of consolidated structure and the author differentiates approximate linguistic units.Secondly, the author defines the consolidated structure in terms of form, meaning, and function and thinks that the consolidated structure is a fixed and complete unit of meaning formed by two or more notional words and function words.Then, the author inspected the nature and characteristics of the consolidated structure from the perspective of systematicness and gradability of language, points out that the grammatical levels of the consolidated structure include words, phrases and sentences and further concludes that the overall characteristics:coagulability,adhesion,integration and integrality.Finally, the consolidated structure is classified.The fourth chapter to sixth chapter is the part of the case studies.The fourth chapter plays the part of grammaticalization of the consolidated structure“you suo(有所)”.First of all,the author discusses the nature and word class of“suo(所)”and believes that“suo”in ancient Chinese belongs to special demonstrative pronoun.Secondly,the author analyzes the basic usage of“suo”and indicates that using“suo”as noun and pronoun is closely related to the emergence of“you suo”.Then,the author explores the grammaticalization process of“you suo”and holds that“you suo”evolves from cross-layer structure to verb to adverb of degree.Finally,the author summarizes the motivation mechanism of grammaticalization of“you suo”is reanalysis,decategorization and disyllables of rhythm.Chapter 5 deals with the grammaticalization research of the consolidated structure“shu yu(孰与)”.First of all,the author discusses the usage of“shu(孰)”and states that“shu”meaning choice stands as the foundation to“A yu B shu X”.Secondly,the author analyzes the use of function word“yu(与)”as preposition and conjunction and argues that“yu”meaning choice is closely related to the emergence of“A yu B shu X”.Then,the author explores the preposition structure“shu yu”.Finally,the author shows that the formation of“shu yu”is the result of“A yu B shu X”analogized to the preposition law of“shu yu”.It is found that analogy acts as the fundamental cause of the grammaticalization of“shu yu”while economic principle of language and the promotion of pragmatic factor also play a key role in prompting the grammaticalization of“shu yu”.Chapter 6 says about the grammaticalization study of the consolidated structure“you yi(有以)”and“wu yi(无以)”.First of all,the author points out that there are three common forms of“you(wu)yi(有(无)以)”in ancient Chinese:cross-layer structure,consolidated structure and disyllabic words.“you(wu)yi”of cross-layer structure is the source structure in other forms.“you(wu)yi”of consolidated structure comes from reanalysis and solidification based on cross-layer structure via dangling of preposition“yi(以)”.“you(wu)yi”in word form comes into being by further integrating consolidated structure.These three forms are not independent but a ordered set with a close inheritance relationship.Dangling of preposition and reanalysis serves as the motivations and mechanisms for the grammaticalization of“you(wu)yi”.The author concludes the general rule of the consolidated structure into words from studying the grammaticalization process of three typical consolidated structure in ancient Chinese as well as the motivations and mechanisms in Chapter 7.The author summarizes the basic viewpoints,innovation and shortage of the research of this paper as well as the direction of efforts henceforth in Chapter 8.