Comparative Study On Directional Words Of ’Qilai’and ’Xiaqu’

In this thesis, comparative study on the grammatical meaning, path pattern of space shift and process of phraseology change, and grammaticalization-based stylistic marker, and selectional restrictions when in combination of verbs or adjectives of the directional words-’Qilai’ and ’Xiaqu’ is conducted.In the introduction part, it introduces the study situations at home and abroad, the significance and content of the study, and the reasons to select such subject and the research ideas.In the first chapter, it discusses the semantic categorization of ’Qilai’ and ’Xiaqu’ as complement. According to the traditional grammar, the categorization includes: directional meaning, consequent meaning, and state meaning. If from the point of cognitive grammar, the concept of space shift is adopted to compare the differences on subjective reference point, transferability, and displacement of the two directional r. Study from such aspect is conductive to fully understand the space shift pattern of other compound directional words in the same category with the two directional words.In the second chapter, on the foundation of the first chapter, it focuses on the different grammaticalization process of ’Qilai’ and ’Xiaqu’, and how the abstract spatial senses and non-spatial senses are extended from specific spatial senses. And it analyzes the distinguishes in grammaticalization paths and degrees and brings the conclusion that the root cause of the unbalanced grammaticalization of ’Qilai’ and ’Xiaqu’ lies in the difference of actual basic meaning. Besides that, it demonstrates the being of stylistic marker of’Qilai’and’Xiaqu’due to the grammaticalization and concludes that even though the directional word after a verb has been grammaticalized, it still has verbal function and thus it has characteristics of those of empty words and content words.In the third chapter, the selectional restrictions of’Qilai’and’Xiaqu’in combination with verbs and adjectives and summarizes the differences on quantity, frequency, and expressive meanings of those verbs and adjectives respectively and classifies those verbs and adjectives.The last part is the conclusion which summarizes the main points and ideas of the thesis and puts forward some problems which need more study.In the study,"space shift","process","boundedness and unboundedness" of cognitive grammar and the theory of grammaticalization is adopted as the support. In order to search out the similarity and individuality of the two words, it also combines synchronic study and diachronic study.