An Investigation Into The Word-Order Selction Constraint Of The Adj+V/V+Adj Constructions In Modern Chinese

Based on strictly-paired authentic data, this paper, by employing lexical analysis, perspective structure theory combined with event structure theory as well as discourse analysis, investigated adj +V/ V+adj constructions with adjective either as its adverbial or complement aiming at exploring the word-order selection constraint of these two constructions.We argue that it is the contrast between adverbial position and complement position (henceforth, word-order selection constraint) which constrains the word order of adj+V/ V+adj constructions. Whether adjectives enter into the adverbial position or the complement position is not due to chance but depends on this contrast, which can be illustrated by four pairs of contrastive features, namely, [+manner] vs. [+result], [+process] vs. [+ resultative], [+concrete] vs. [+abstract] and [+descriptive] vs. [+commentary].These four pairs of contrastive features remain compatible with one another in this word-order selection constraint. The four features of the adverbial, that is, [+manner], [+process], [+ concrete] and [+descriptive] are consistent with one another. And the same applies to the four features of the complement, namely, [+result], [+resultative], [+commentary] and [+abstract]. This consistency indicates the compatibility between the adj +V/ V+adj constructions in the phases of vocabulary, phrase, discourse and contextual function.Besides, the interchangeable relation between "manner" and "result" is the prerequisite and fundamental motivation which decides adjectives can either enter into the adverbial position or the complement position. "Manner" can always impact the result, and sometimes can be changed into results directly. Meanwhile, the expectation of the result will influence the manner as well. This compatibility between "manner" and "result" makes it possible that adjectives can either enter into the adverbial position or the complement position.Based on the above discussion, we propose a "multi-factored word order analysis", that is, the word order of Modern Chinese is not determined by a single factor but rather constrained by multi-level factors.