An Energy-transmission Theory Approach To English Ergative-verb Constructions

An English ergative verb is a verb that can be both transitive and intransitive,where the object of the verb when used transitively is the same as the subject of thesame verb when used intransitively (Sinclair,1987:1620). For example, the object (e.g.the door in The man closed the door) of the transitive verb close is the same as thesubject (e.g. the door in The door closed) of the intransitive verb close. Verbs like closeare regarded as ergative verbs.In this thesis, ergative-verb constructions refer to constructions in which ergativeverbs are used. Ergative-verb constructions consist of two kinds of constructions: thetransitive construction (e.g. John closed the door) and the intransitive construction (e.g.The door closed). The intransitive construction is usually called the ergativeconstruction.For decades, scholars have already examined English ergative-verb constructionsfrom the various perspectives. There is no doubt that these researches can help usunderstand ergative-verb constructions better. However, they mainly pay attention tothe fundamental properties of ergative-verb constructions. It is a pity that few of themhave sought the driving force behind ergative-verb constructions, that is, the transitiveconstruction and the ergative construction, and the relationship between them.This thesis analyzes the cognitive basis for English ergative-verb constructionswith the application of the prominence view and the energy-transmission theory incognitive linguistics. As we know, in the transitive construction, there must be energytransmission. In the energy transmission, three kinds of energy sources can be theaction initiator, that is, the agent (e.g. the man in The man closed the door), theinstrument (e.g. the stick in The stick closed the door) and the natural force (e.g. thewind in The wind closed the door), which are prominent in this construction. Thisthesis also points out that there is a potential energy source in the ergative construction(the intransitive construction), though it does not appear in this construction. And the patient (e.g. the door in The door closed) is prominent in the ergative construction, thatis, the intransitive construction. Moreover, the energy source not only makes up thecognitive basis of English ergative-verb constructions, but also serves as the drivingforce behind the unique characteristics of ergative verbs. If there is no energy source,there is no energy transmission. And if there is no energy transmission, the transitiveconstruction and the ergative construction (the intransitive construction) cannot comeinto being.