A Study On Time Prepositions Of The Chinese Language In The Middle Ancient Times

In terms of phonetics, vocabulary and grammar, the Chinese language in the middle ancient times was quite different from that in the remote ancient times and modern times. Because the middle ancient times serves as the transitional stage during the evolution of grammar, the differences in grammar were especially distinctive in this period. As a part of grammar, time prepositions play a very important role in this transitional period, and are also the derivations of many prepositions in the modern Chinese language. Therefore, studying this kind of prepositions is very significant for studying the history of vocabulary, grammar and even the history of the Chinese language.On the basis of previous studies, this paper attempts a comprehensive study of time prepositions in the middle ancient times with an aim to obtain some experiences and references for further study. Thus, in the study, the paper outlines the general condition of time prepositions in this period and tracks down to its origins as well as the evolving process. Meanwhile, the paper probes into the causes for the appearing and disappearing of these prepositions, explores the systematicness among them, and analyzes their mutual connection and restriction from the angle of the semantic field.