A Study On Modification Construction "Monosyllabic Location Words+Monosyllabic Verbs"

This dissertation takes the modification construction "Monosyllabic Location Words+ Monosyllabic Verbs" ("ML+MV" construction) as a research object. With the method of multi-angle verifing of form, semantic and pragmatic, the paper does a comprehensive study of the following points:the overall situation of "ML+MV" combination; the factors which constraint "ML+MV" combination; the semantic relationship between ML and MV; the pragmatic value, the stylistic feature, the antithetical form, the historical development and the lexicalization of "ML+MV" construction, etc.The thesis is divided into eight chapters, and the content of each chapter is as following:ChapterⅠbriefly introduces the object of this study, the research methodology and the results of previous related research.ChapterⅡdescribes the basic situation of "ML+MV" combination. The investigation reveals that the combination capacity of ML and MV is far more than expected, and a lot of combination instances seemingly difficult to match are acceptable in a particular context. Meanwhile, there is apparent imbalance among the abilities of different members of ML and MV to construct "ML+MV" combination. As to the MLs, "nei(内),wai(外)"has the strongest abilities to combine with MV, while "li(里)"has the weakest ability. As to the MVs, the combination ability of motion verbs to ML is more superior to non-motion verbs as a whole.ChapterⅢanalyzes the semantic relationship between ML and MV. It reveals that not only ML can represent the direction or location of action and behavior, but the semantic relationship between ML and MV can also be more complex. Although the "ML+MV" construction is simple in form, it has a strong semantic inclusion. As long as the semantic context expressed by some action and behavior involves some highlighted location factors, the ML if indicating the location factors is possible to modify the MV. This chapter also discusses the constraints from the semantic point, such as the semantic relations between ML and MV, the "motion" and "spatial" features of MV. And finally the "semantic harmony" is set as the core principle determining the establishment of "ML+MV" construction.Chapter IV investigates the stylistic features of the "ML+MV" construction. The construction has a strong tendency to be used in written formal texts, rather than in colloquial texts. Furthermore, it also has a strong selectivity to the contents of the text, say, mainly used in procedural discourse related to sports register. Stylistic features of the construction also affect the combination of ML and MV to some extent. Generally speaking, the MVs mainly used in colloquial texts are difficult to enter the "ML+MV" construction. Chapter V discusses the pragmatic value of "ML+MV" construction by comparing with "Preposition+Location word+Verb" construction. As a specific structure, "ML+MV" construction has its own unique pragmatic values as follows:1. Referring. In addition to predication function, "ML+MV" construction can also refer to action and behavior or arguments of verbs.2. Attributing. Many "ML+MV" constructions have the same function as Modifying Words, expressing some locational property of things.3. Economizing. Compared to "Preposition+Location word+Verb" construction, "ML+MV" construction is more economic and concise in form.Chapter VI studies the antithetical form of "ML+MV" construction. As a special grammatical mean, the antithetical form is able to endow the construction with a new function. It can legitimate some "ML+MV" constructions which are difficult to be accepted in general situations. Some antithetical forms of "ML+MV" constructions have achieved constructization because of their stable form and high frequency of use.Chapter VII investigates the historical development of "ML+MV" construction. It is proved that from pre-Qin period to modern Chinese time, the most important grammatical function of the construction is a predicate and the ML indicates the direction of moving actions. At the same time, the construction also experienced some great changes, especially in modern Chinese, for example, many "ML+MV" constructions, which in the course of time have obtained modification function, can serve as attributives. This chapter also studies the lexicalization of "ML+MV" construction, and works out the following constraints:1. Weakening of ML's function from a predicate to an adverbial; 2. Demanding of Double-syllablization and rhythm of the Chinese language; 3. Reducing of semantic transparency and semantic specificity; 4. Degrading of verb transitivity. This chapter also presents a theoretical assumption, i.e. "structural principle of independence" in lexicalization.Chapter VIII summarizes the whole text, and points out the shortcomings of the paper as well as the future research ideas.