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A Cognitive Study Of English Existentials

Posted on:2008-02-08Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:H B HeFull Text:PDF
GTID:2155360215953690Subject:English Language and Literature
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
This thesis attempts to analyze English existential sentences from a cognitive perspective, with a view to exploring their nature and characteristics.Based on the theory of cognitive grammar which is a prominent branch of cognitive linguistics in recent years, this thesis tries to discuss English existential sentences by means of qualitative analysis.To characterize English existential sentences, the present study utilizes stage model, the asymmetry of tr/lm and the billiard-ball to analyze the conceptualization of existential-there. On the basis of that, mental space is introduced to analyze the indefiniteness of the postverbal NP in existential sentences. It is argued that the conceptualization of there in there-be construction is an abstract subject which presents the prominent setting, and the NP in existential sentences should be indefinite.To summarize, this research is a significant attempt in the study of English existential sentences. Obviously, it proves the explicability of cognitive linguistics in the analysis of English existential sentences and casts a light on the understanding and use of them.
Keywords/Search Tags:English existential sentences, stage model, mental space
PDF Full Text Request
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