A Study Of Stock Phraseology In Modern Chinese

Stock phraseology, viewed from a sociolinguistics perspective, is an independent linguistic variety. In comparison, stock phraseology shares with the core of modern Chinese language some formal characteristics; it also has such features as cross-register use and cross-language absorption. Stock phraseology, as a relatively new genre, is developing and expanding rapidly with China's rapid economic development and the stronger and stronger financial awareness of the people. New usages are emerging whether noticed or not; considering the existing and emerging stock phraseology, further description and study in this field need to be conducted. However, no systematic study of stock phraseology can be found to date, let alone a study from a cognitive perspective.This paper explores the emergence and generalization of stock phraseology, the features and the current situation. On this basis, an explanation from a cognitive linguistics perspective is offered, applying the theories of categorization and de-categorization (including the theory of metaphor). We hold the view that words are categories, the output reflected in language of the cognition process and categorization process, and that word categories have prototype effect if studied from a synchronic perspective. From a diachronic perspective, the semantics of a word does not stay unchanged, but rather changes with addition of new semantic items through the process of categorization and de-categorization in language use. Metaphor and metonymy are the two major ways in which categorization and de-categorization are carried out. The emergence and generalization of stock phraseology is a process of continuous categorization and de-categorization through metaphor and metonymy. This paper consists of seven chapters. Chapter I is a brief introduction to the background of this study, including relevant studies conducted in this field, research methodology and theoretical framework, data, and research objectives. Chapter II offers an analysis of the origin of stock phraseology. Chapter III discusses the formal characteristics of stock phraseology. Chapter IV then is an investigation of the rhetorical features manifested in the formation of stock phraseology. Chapters II, III and IV form the analysis and description related to the emergence of stock phraseology. Chapter V explores the generalization of stock phraseology. On the basis of Chapter V, Chapter VI analyses the mechanism of the emergence and generalization of stock phraseology under the framework of categorization and de-categorization theories (including metaphor and metonymy) within cognitive linguistics. Chapter VII is the conclusion, with suggestions for further study offered.