The Cognitive Mechanism For The Formation Of Chinese Netspeak Neologisms

The Internet has been exerting a greater impact on the development of Chinese society. With the rapid increase of Chinese Netitizens, Chinese Netspeak Neologisms (CNNs) spring up. Currently, most studies of Chinese Netspeak words are conducted from a morphological perspective. In this thesis, we attempt to create an interface between Cognitive Linguistics and Chinese Netspeak Neologisms, and reveal the underlying cognitive mechanism in the formation of CNNs.Based on previous research, this thesis first redefines the range of CNNs. Then we have a brief discussion of the morphological approach to the formation of CNNs. After that, Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Conceptual Metonymy Theory are introduced and discussed. Further, we apply the two theories to explore the underlying cognitive mechanism for the formation of CNNs. Finally, detailed case studies are given to illustrate how Conceptual Metaphor and Conceptual Metonymy as two cognitive mechanisms can explain the formation of some CNNs.Besides an illustration of the theories, this thesis also focuses on the application of the theories to concrete cases of CNNs. Therefore, this study may be helpful to the lexicographical practice especially to the including of new words.