Studies On The Most Frequently Used Conversion Words In HSK

The object of this paper is the most frequently used conversion words in HSK. Adopting the method of combining the theories and practices, qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis and description and explanation, this paper synchronically studies the types and nature of the conversion words from multi- perspectivesFirstly, this paper studies the types, the quantity, the proportion and the distribution of the most frequently used words in HSK. There are four types of conversion words in HSK. They are: content words conversion, content words and function words conversion, function words conversion, content words and affixes conversion. This paper statistically re-examines the quantity and distribution of conversion words in HSK. The conversion words consist of 622 items, in which the most frequently used words take up 12.5%. This paper also makes a comparison of conversion words in the revised version of HSK published in 2001 and the version of HSK published in 1992.Secondly, this paper makes an analysis on the categorization of conversion words in HSK. In HSK, the distinction between conversion words and homophones among the most frequently used words is made under the principle of semantic connection. However, the categorization of some words is not appropriate. Limitation exists in the categorization of conversion words in HSK. That is, HSK mis-categorizes conversion words of different ranks into homophones. Therefore, this paper proposes a new marking method which can mark the part of speech of co-existence cross -rank conversion words, for instance, "甲级词　差　(动,形＿乙) ".Thirdly, this paper analyses the standards and principles of categorization of conversion words in HSK. This paper argues that we should not consider the semantically related morphemes and word -meaning items as conversion words. And semantically related words and affixes should not be regarded as conversion words either.Fourthly, this paper insists that we should consider the coordination of part of speech in identifying conversion words. In his Studies on Part of Speech of Modem Chinese, Guoyue proposes three strategies: co-quantity strategy, co-type strategy and priority co-type strategy. This paper holds that "co-quantity strategy" is in agreement with the scientific and practical principle of HSK. In addition, this paper also makes a tentative study on verb conversion words and gerunds.Finally, this paper compares the marking methods of HSK with that of Dictionary of Modern Chinese Regulations, and the marking methods of HSK 1992 version withthat of HSK 2001 version. And we discover that HSK and Dictionary differs in their treatment of "self reflexive word" which "has the distinct meaning of action" . This paper argues that it is more appropriate for second language learners to regard this kind of words as conversion words from the practical perspective.