Common Noun Meaning Framework

This paper aims to analyze the meaning framework of common nouns and the explaining of words in dictionary through the western framework semantics theory. This study belongs to the category of lexicology semantics and lexicography. In this study ,we will use a combined method of quantitative and qualitative, taking the common nouns from A-J in Chinese Proficiency Test Glossary Syllabus as a closed register and the explanation of nouns in Dictionary of Contemporary Chinese (the fifth edition) and Dictionary of Illustration of words as examples.This paper makes a brief introduction of framework semantics theory of cognitive semantics and sums up the features of framework semantics as follows: protuberant ,empirical, and peculiar. Through comparing with the meaning framework of verbs , it is concluded that the common nouns are relatively independent and that the meaning of the words are self-sefficient. Then taking the case of"风", the author analyzes the types of contexts of morpheme element of common nouns: the situation in which common nouns are used as independent words and the situation in which common nouns are reduced to morpheme.Through a careful study of some of the common nouns in HSK Glossary, and a rough analysis of the categories and attributes of the common nouns ,we arrive at the microcosmic semantics framework of common nouns. Next, we make a further analysis of the macroscopic semantic framework of the common nouns by means of Fillmore's semantics framework theory and discuss about the effects of meaning framework of nouns on the evolution of the meaning of words . Finally, the paper discusses about the effects of meaning framework on the explanation of words in dictionary, including the effects on ways of explaining words, on the classification and arrangement of lexeme and on explaining core lexical item.This study provides a theory evidence for some of the established lexical theory from a new prospective, which is beneficial for us to better understand the frequently used words in our language and for us to explain the nouns in the dictionary, and for the beginners, especially the foreigners to learn Chinese better.