A Comparative Study On English And Chinese Classifier Generalizations From A Cognitive Perspective

Classifier generalization happens when the scope of referents a certain classifier modifies expands. This thesis makes a comparative study on English and Chinese classifier generalization from the perspective of cognitive linguistics, attempting to unveil cognitive similarities and differences of different speech communities involved in such processes.Three subcategories of nominal classifiers, namely, individual definite classifiers, aggregate indefinite classifiers and aggregate definite classifiers can be found in both Chinese and English classifiers. With its major research materials deriving from CCL online corpus, BNC, dictionaries and various other sources, this thesis explores the following three research questions:1. What are the functions of English and Chinese classifier generalizations? What are the motivation factors of classifier generalization? 2. What are the cognitive similarities and differences demonstrated in classifier generalization between Chinese and English native speakers? 3. How are the Chinese classifier "gu" and its English equivalents generalized? What are the cognitive similarities and differences revealed in the relevant processes?The findings of this thesis can be listed as follows. Firstly, classifier generalization can add descriptive information to certain referents and convey speakers'emotions. Moreover, metaphor, metonymy and image-schema can motivate the process of generalization. Secondly, classifier generalization in two languages reveals the following differences:1) Contrary to English native speakers, Chinese people tend to project their minds into language directly.2) Unlike English classifier generalization, in which metaphorical connections between classifiers and their referents based on instant contexts serve as motivating factors, Chinese generalization is based on how the inherent characteristics of referents are connected with classifiers. Thirdly, different language families as they come from, classifier generalization in these two languages denote some shared conceptual features, such as following similar cognitive sequences and taking "yi (one)" as a special quantifier. The case study of this thesis further proves these aforesaid conclusions. These findings can bring some pedagogical suggestions and enlightenment to classifier translation between English and Chinese.