A Cognitive Study Of 'Qi' And 'Shang' Groups Of The Directional Category Of Modern Chinese

Based on the results of previous research and applying the basic theory of cognitive linguistics, this dissertation studies the “qi(?)” and “shang(?)” groups of the directional category from the Mandarin and Minnan dialect comparison perspective, in particular, a comprehensive discussion focusing on the related issues of “upward direction” in the form of four main topics will be presented. As a key link to the full text of the topics, excluding introduction and conclusion, this dissertation is divided into fourteen chapters."Introduction" provides a brief explanation of the concept and definition of the directional category, introduces the research targets, research methods and significance of the research, etc. In addition, it also put forward a summary of the use of relevant cognitive linguistics theories and reviews previous research on related issues as well as presents a brief description of the arrangement of the various chapters.Topic I:A Study of“qi/qilai(?/??)and“shang/shanglai(?/??)”This topic is divided into four chapters, focusing on the research of the semantic development and grammatical features of "qi/qilai" and "shang/shanglai". Findings show that “shang” and “shanglai”serving as predicate began in the Zhou dynasty and Tang dynasty respectively, whereas that of the “qi” and “qilai” began in the Spring-Autumn and the Warring States Periods and Han dynasty respectively. Both groups act as directional complements began in the Spring-Autumn and the Warring States Periods. From the synchronic perspective, both “qi/qilai” and “shang/shanglai” first serve as general verbs and subsequently developed as directional verbs and finally as directional complements. Within the directional complements, both “qi/qilai” and “shang/shanglai” have further extended to serve as resultative complements and complements of state. Hence both are said to have completed the full grammaticalization process.Topic II:A Study of the Cross Semantic of"Verb+qi/qilai(?/??)"and“Verb+shang/shanglai(?/??)”of the Minnan dialect and MandarinThis topic is divided into three chapters, mainly taking the synchronic view to investigate "qi/qilai" of the Minnan dialect. In addition, an analysis and discussion of the semantic intersection of "Verb + qi/qilai" and “Verb + shang/shanglai” of the Minnan dialect and Mandarin was also being carried out. Furthermore, through the semantic cross-examination of Mandarin "Verb + qi/qilai" and "Verb + shang/shanglai", this topic explores the similarities and differences between the two sets of directional verbs and the reasons behind them. We argued that some semantic intersection were found in “qi/qilai” of the Minnan dialect and Mandarin, and therefore, the grammatical semantic of “Verb + qi/qilai” of the Minnan dialect is broader than that of the Mandarin?s. Based on the Iconicity theory of the cognitive linguistics, we used the term “directional iconicity” to express the upward directional similarity of “qi/qilai” and “shang/shanglai”.Topic III:A Study on"qiqu(??)"This topic is divided into four chapters, taking the Minnan dialect and Mandarin comparison perspective to carry out a comprehensive investigation of “qiqu” as well as the Mandarin?s upward directional expression “shangqu”. Findings show that the grammatical semantic of “Verb + qiqu” of the Minnan dialect is inline with that of the Mandarin?s “Verb + qiqu/shangqu”. Furthermore, the grammatical semantic of “Verb + qiqu” and “Verb + shangqu” of the Mandarin express some similarities. Apart from that, in specific context, “Verb + qilai” tends to replace the use of “Verb + qiqu”. As a result, it is said that the decrease in the use of the directional verb of “qiqu” in Mandarin is due to the replacement by “shangqu” and “qilai”.Topic IV:A Study of the Asymmetry of“Verb+qilai(??)”and“Verb+qiqu(??)”This topic is divided into three chapters. From the diachronic view point and the cognitive point of reference perspective as well as the choice of verb as co-occurrence in “Verb + qilai” and “Verb + qiqu”, this topic explores the asymmetry of “Verb + qilai” and “Verb + qiqu” in detail. Findings show that “qilai” first serves as predicate in the Han dynasty and developed as directional complement in the Tang dynasty, whereas that of “qiqu” both took place in the Song dynasty. The extended meaning in the directional complements of “qilai” took place between the Song and Ming dynasties whereas that of “qiqu” happened between Ming and Qing dynasties. In “qilai”, the point of reference does not subject to the restraint of “lai” and hence can either be low or high, whereas that of “qiqu” is subjected to the restraint of “qu” and thus can only be at a low point. As a result, the choice of verb as co-occurrence in “Verb + qilai” is broader than that of the “Verb + qiqu”. Drawing from the findings of this topic, we concluded that there is a clear asymmetry in “Verb + qilai” and “Verb + qiqu”.“Conclusion” summarises the basic concepts and conclusions of this study, presents the possible innovative points in this study, points out the problems and deficiencies exist in the study as well as put forward the research questions that need to be further addressed.