Study On Transfer

Asymmetry existing between "gei" and "v+gei" constructions leads us to take the following questions into accounts, questions such as how events are observed, noted down, expressed and classified. Based on these, the prototypical meaning of "transfer" was construed as "an independent object was made to move from the volitional giver to the willing recipient". The prototype of transfer is based on the recurrent experience of give-and-receive, in forms of manipulation ICM and path ICM and integrated into transfer ICM. "Gei" and "V+gei" constructions are understood in terms of metonymy: path sub-event and end sub-event for give-and-receive event; and end sub-event for give-and-receive event. The dissertation consists of seven chapters, in addition to forewords and summary. The forewords part is a brief introduction to the dissertation's background, significance, scope and guidelines. The first chapter reviews the studies done in the field concerned and points out briefly problem existing.The second chapter puts forward with the hypothesis of how event is cognized and understood. The transfer event is noted down by a verb and expressed by the verb and its three participants. The prototypical attributives of the verb and the participants are analyzed. The third chapter revises the meaning of "transfer", which is an ICM consisting of a series of prototypical attributives. The prototype originates from the typical verb meaning and internalized in the words sequence expressing the event. It is gradually generalized among the atypical ones. The rules of the participants' extension are summed up and the operation of construction meaning of transfer is interpreted.The fourth chapter is a fully description and interpretation of the simple transfer expressions. The constraints on the expressions are mainly discussed. The fifth to the seventh chapter are all about the expressions of the complicated transfer. The fifth chapter mainly discusses the attributives of "V+gei" and the ways by which the atypical verbs get the meaning of transfer. It is also an interpretation of the operation of construction meaning of "transfer".The sixth chapter proves the hypothesis of transfer division: starting sub-event, path sub-event and end-sub-event. Among which, path sub-vent and end sub-event are expressed by V and "gei" respectively. The seventh chapter surveys the integration of the path and end expressions. Motivations are discussed and network of transfer expression is set up.The summary birdviews the dissertation and merits and demerits are pointed out.