A Study Of English Inversion Within The Framework Of Figure-ground Theory

Concentrating on English full inversion,this study will be conducted from the point of view of cognition within the framework of Figure-Ground Theory(FGT)in cognitive linguistics.Methodologically,it employs a combined method of quantitative and qualitative analyses on the basis of corpora,which includes both spoken and written ones.As a special grammatical form,inversion has been examined by domestic and foreign scholars.After reviewing relevant literature about inversions,we find that linguists have made extensive researches and obtained corresponding results from different perspectives such as rhetoric,syntax,function and pragmatics.However,most of the previous researches are based on the study of its definition,function,etc.,but less on its internal and external cognitive generative factors.The internal cognitive factors are mainly concentrated on subject's construal,while the external factors are mainly based on object's characteristics.Based on GbF Model(Chen Rong,2003)and GtF Model(Zhang Keding,2011),this study has put forward the New GbF Model to explore inversion's cognitive generative process.The New GbF Model not only avoids GbF Model purely emphasizing the transformation of linearization from unmarked “figure-ground” into marked “ground-figure”,but also stresses on the importance of “transition” in GtF Model.The New GbF Model argues that inversion is the cognitive result of “subject-complement” as “complement-subject” in traditional grammar.With the help of transforming “figure-ground” linear relationship in a sentence,inversion firstly places the hearers' or readers' temporary attention in initial ground(complement).Then it places their permanent attention to figure(subject)at the end of the sentence after hearers or readers find the relevant cognitive reference point in the ground.And ultimately,this transformation can highlight the effect of end-focus.In addition,this study reclassifies inversion on the basis of Schema Category Theory within the New GbF Model.The inversion category can be regarded as a pattern from which a prototype and related variants are derived from an abstract schema.This classification method provides a relatively uniform cognitive criterion for inverted structures.Through analyses,five conclusions are presented here: Firstly,as a new cognitiveprinciple,Figure-Ground Theory has effectively demonstrated its ability to explain the special grammatical phenomenon.Secondly,as a special grammatical form,inversion can be coded as a marked instantiation in linguistic phenomena within the framework of Figure-Ground Theory.Thirdly,with the aid of cognitive reference points,inversion can place the ultimate focus in figure at the end of the sentence,that is,the location of the subject.Fourthly,with the help of Schema Category Theory,inversions can be systematically divided into a prototype and seven variants.Fifthly,the subjective construal has an important impact on the cognitive generative process of inversion.In a word,inversion seems to violate human cognition of conventional grammar,but in fact it is consistent with human cognitive laws and features.