"How X How Y" Construction Approach

In modern Chinese,"zen me X zen me Y" is a half-productivity contracted construction with two interrogative pronouns for non-doubt usage. It is generally used in the spoken language to answer questions or show attitude. This article will give a comprehensive description of "zen me X zen me Y"with Construction Grammar theory and Cognitive Linguistic.According to the nominatum of "zen me1" we classify the construction into two isomorphic forms and summarize their consturction meanings:Type A means that X is the only condition of Y, including Type B meaning that X is the only purpose of Y, Type C means that Y is the only result of X. Each type has highlighted the speaker’s subjective judgments. Describe the semantic features of X and Y in each type and the semantic relations between X and Y:Type A indicates "Condition-Behavior", Type B indicates "Purpose-Behavior", Type C indicates"Behavior-Result". Analyze the reason of the omission or appearance of the association markers:one is positive or negative semantics relationship, another is the correlation capabilities of the association markers.The pragmatic motivation of the construction is language of economic principles. The constructions also has two types of subjective quantity:one is unbounded covariant quantity, one is full amount. From the cognitive point of view, the constructions are mainly generated by the conceptual integration mechanisms, and metonymy played an important role. Rank the conceptual integration level of each type and we find that the level of A is lower than B and C. Finally, analyse the inheritance relationship of the three types, in order to reveal the process of the formation and evolution of the construction:The constructional meaning of Type A is the central meaning, Type B is extended by Ip-link on the basic of the central meaning. Type C is also extended by Ip-link through exchanging the order of X and Y.