A Cognitive Account Of The English Middle Construction

The English middle construction (EMC),as a unique language phenomenon, has been a widely discussed topic in linguistics. The English middle construction has been almost unanimously expressed as: NP + V + ADV in form, such as in the sentence The door opens easily. Linguists have tried to examine the English middle construction from different perspectives. Based on the generative linguistics, there are two main approaches to the middle formation: the movement approach and the non-movement approach. They mainly focus on the essential properties of the EMC. There are also some other linguists trying to study the EMC within the framework of cognitive linguistics. There is no doubt that their research findings help us understand English middle construction better. But it is a pity that only few of them seek the driving force behind the English middle construction.Based on the previous studies, this thesis attempts to use the energy transmission theory proposed by Langacker to analyze the English middle construction. In this thesis, we analyze the underlying cognitive basis for the formation of the English middle construction with the help of the energy transmission theory and the action chain model.As we all know, during the middle formation, there must be energy transmission. After explaining the energy transmission with the action chain model, we can easily come to the conclusion that during the middle formation, three kinds of energy sources can be the action initiator, namely, internal source, external source the natural source. This thesis points out that whether the energy source is visible or not, there does exist the source of energy in middle formation. Furthermore, the source of energy not only constitutes the cognitive basis of the EMC, but also serves as the driving force behind the particular features of the EMC, because this energy source, or power, may influence anyone who is involved in the process of the action. Supposing there is no energy resource, we can not form a middle construction. Among the three sources, the internal power of an entity plays an essential role in middle formation.