Construction And Constructionalizaion Research Of Chinese Expression "X Shi Y"

“X shi Y”,which has rich semantic connotation in a concise structure,is used more and more frequently,such as xiujiashizhiliao?vacation-style treatment?,sangoushiyuer?widow-like parenting?,paizhaoshizhejiu?photo-type depreciation?,etc.The previous studies concerning with this structure focus on the analysis of“shi”and the meaning,collocation and distribution of“X shi”.Limited research has been conducted toward the“X shi Y”as a whole and its diachronic changing process.Therefore,this thesis adopts the qualitative and quantitative method to describe and explain the constructional characteristics,constructionalization process and mechanisms of“X shi Y”within the framework of construction grammar and constructionalization theoryAfter a detail analysis of this structure,the present research finds out that:From the perspective of syntactic,semantic and pragmatic analysis of“X shi Y”,the requirements for“X shi Y”to be a construction are satisfied in that“X shi Y”is a frequently used expression and the meaning of“X shi_-comparative Y”cannot be predicted from the components.Therefore,“X shi Y”can be considered as a construction.The constructionalization process of“X shi Y”can be divided into three stages:in pre-constructionalization phase,the meaning of“shi”gradually shifts from“rule”to“mode and style”.In the constructionalization stage,the expression scope of“X shi Y”is more diversified.The relationship between X and Y goes from mere correlation to more of similarity.In the post-constructionalization,with the frequent use of certain“X shi Y”instance,new constructionalization process will happen to“X-content shi Y”.The major mechanisms of the constructionalization are neo-analysis and analogization.The synchronic and diachronic analysis toward“X shi Y”is conducted in this research,which will facilitate the understanding toward this Chinese construction and verify the effectiveness of construction and constuctionalization theory,hoping to provide reference for the research toward other Chinese constructions.