A Cognitive Study Of English Interrogative Sentences:a Force Dynamic Approach

In the framework of Cognitive Linguistics,the thesis focuses on exploring the driving forces of English interrogative sentences and their semantic functions with Force Dynamic Theory.English interrogative sentences have always been a hot topic in English grammar.Previous studies have achieved fruitful results in second language acquisition,phonology,pragmatics,cognitive linguistics,etc.However,few studies have explored the internal driving forces of English interrogative sentences and semantic functions resulting therefrom.Cognitive Linguistics takes Experientialism as the philosophical basis,regarding semantics as the focus of its research.The output of semantics has its source,that is,the cognitive experience.The Force Dynamic Theory,one of the important theories of Cognitive Linguistics,can make a figurative explanation of this process.Since the Force Dynamics is divided into three basic patterns,including steady-state patterns,shifting patterns and secondary steady-state patterns,this thesis takes these three patterns to analyze English interrogative sentences,dedicating itself into three questions:(1)What are the driving forces and semantic functions of English interrogative sentences in steady-state force-dynamic patterns?(2)What are the driving forces and semantic functions of English interrogative sentences in shifting force-dynamic patterns?(3)What are the driving forces and semantic functions of English interrogative sentences in secondary steady-state force-dynamic patterns?The thesis identifies itself as a qualitative study.The data sources are from The Rising of the Moon,Romeo and Juliet,Hedda Gabler,David Copperfield,Emma,Vanity Fair and Long Day's Journey into Night,these seven plays and novels.It is found that:(1)in three main patterns,the internal driving forces of English interrogative sentences are mainly social forces and psychological forces;(2)in three main patterns,driven by specific social and psychological forces,Englishinterrogative sentences output different semantic functions,including interrogatories,directives,warnings,complaints,implications,etc..The significance of this research is mainly reflected in the following two aspects.On the one hand,it helps people understand the internal driving forces of English interrogative sentences and their semantic functions,and even the relationship between cognition and sentences deeply.On the other hand,it is a new attempt to study English interrogative sentences,which enriches the relevant applications of Force Dynamic Theory.