Studies On The Valence Of The Disyllabic Verbs In Xian Yu Jing

This dissertation tries to make an all-round exploration on 444 disyllabic verbs (or verb items) in Xian Yu Jing, which was bred during the important period of development of the Chinese language, the period from the 2nd century to the 8th century. According to the semantic characteristics, verbs can be classified into action verb, state verb, relation verb and modal verb. Firstly, based on a thorough analysis and description of the valence, that is, the association function of the verbs, they are grouped into six patterns: verb of one semantic valence and one syntactic valence, verb of two semantic valences and one syntactic valence, verb of two semantic valences and two syntactic valences, transitory verb of two semantic valences and two syntactic valences, verb of three semantic valences and two syntactic valences and verb of three semantic valences and three syntactic valences. Among the six patterns, verbs of two semantic valences and two syntactic valences are the most, taking up 59.5%; verbs of one semantic valence and one syntactic valence secondly 28.6%; transitory verbs of semantic valence and syntactic valence are the least, only 0.9%. Secondly, a complete chart gives the list of the valence of the disyllabic verbs in Xian Yu Jing. Lastly, from 443 disyllabic verbs ,30 typical ones are chosen and the valences of them are analysed tentatively and chronologically (since the 2nd century) . It is concluded that since the 2nd century, most of the valences of verbs have stayed nearly the same and only a few have changed with an increase or a decrease in the number of valence. Another is put forward that this change is very slow and it has taken a long time to develop.