Word Sense Of Modern Chinese Space Dimension

Spatial terms are one of hot points of research of cognitive linguistics. In this thesis, the writer has analyzed the meanings of seven groups of spatial terms of dimensions in Modern Chinese with the help of cognitive linguistic views and methods, on the basis of former research. The seven groups of spatial terms of dimensions are: (big, little), ?1k.. ~?(long, short), (wide, narrow),( tall, short), ?~K ~W?(thick, thin), ?w. ~?(thick, thin),(deep, shallow).The paper is divided into two main parts, with each part discussing the concrete meanings in souse domains and the metaphorical meanings in target domains of aboveentioned spatial terms of dimensions, respectively.Through the analysis of concrete meanings of the spatial terms, we have realized that the spatial terms of dimensions are united whole, in which they not oniy interlace with one another but also differentiate from one another. They have roughly same common expressed objects, with each group having their emphasis and special expressed objects.Through the analysis of metaphorical meanings in target domains of the spatial terms of dimensions, we have seen that the spatial terms of dimensions can denote the conception about time, phone, age, color, odor, intelligence, state, learning, emotions, quality and strength, etc. Special conceptions expressed with special spatial terms ofdimensions are closely connected with the concrete meaningsin the target domains of the spatial terms of dimensions.Through the writing of the paper, 'e have realized thatmany 1inguistic phenomena can be exp1ained from cognitiveangle. Simu1taneously, we have found that to pursue languagecontrast research from cognitive angle is also practicable.