Study On The Acquisition Of Shi/Rang Chinese Analytic Causative Constructions

Based on the theory of cognitive construction grammar and the onomasiological perspective,this study analyzes the collocational strength of Chinese “shi/rang” analytical causative constructions and their effected predicates in CBC(native speaker corpus)and HSK(learner speaker corpus)by using collostructional analysis,with the purpose of seeking out the subtle differences of semantically similar constructions,as well as bringing enlightenment to second language teaching.Based on the data collected from the corpora,the following findings can be presented:(1)The overall frequency of Chinese “shi” ACC in CBC is much higher than that in HSK,proving that Chinese analytical causative verbs in CBC have much bleached and definite causative meaning than those in HSK.This difference can be explained by the fact that learners are influenced by their native language where morphological causatives are more commonly used.2)After a semantic classification of verbs whose collocational strength have reached a significant level,it can be found that “shi” ACCs in CBC largely indicate the change of state of the causee resulted from external forces,while “shi” ACCs in HSK largely indicate physical and psychological state of the causee.Besides,“rang” ACCs in CBC mainly indicate motion of the cause,while “rang” ACCs in HSK mainly express the meaning of communication and interaction;(3)Through a comparative analysis with previous studies of English analytical causative constructions,learner speakers' choices of effected predicates are influenced by the negative transfer of their native language;moreover,after dividing learners into different groups according to their level of Chinese proficiency,it is found that their choice of effected predicates are also influenced by their level of proficiency of Chinese.Based on data collected from authentic corpora,this study discusses the usage difference of Chinese analytical causative constructions in native and learner corpus.On the one hand,this study validates the conclusions drew by previous studies,and provides some reference for the study of semantically similar constructions.On the other hand,the conclusions of the study have certain application values,teachers are supposed to point out clearly the nuances between semantically similar constructions to help learners better grasp them.