Serial Verb Constructions In Chinese And Southeast Asian Languages:A Comparative Study From A Functional Perspective

The Southeast Asian area holds the key to the "Belt and Road" initiative;so does the study of Southeast Asian languages which merits much academic attention.Drawing on the Cardiff grammar,a framework within Systemic Functional Linguistics,this study centers on the serial verb constructions(SVCs henceforth)in Chinese and Southeast Asian languages,which is considered "the greatest common interest" in China’s context,with the aims to address three-fold questions:(i)How can we define and classify SVCs?(ii)What are the semantic and syntactic functions of SVCs?And(iii)what are the commonalities and differences between SVCs in Chinese and Southeast Asian languages?And what are the reasons behind them?It is revealed that(i)SVC,as a language-specific term,is supposed to be delineated from multi-dimensional perspectives,like phonology,lexis,syntax,semantics,among others;(ii)SVCs are better categorized from a meaning-oriented approach in cross-linguistic studies;(iii)in terms of semantic functions,SVCs mainly fulfil an ideational function that falls into two types:the experiential and the logical.The former embodies directional,instrumental,manner,postural,benefactive and malefactive meanings while the latter denotes sequential,cause-effect,purposive,conditional meanings;(iv)in terms of syntactic functions,SVCs are instantiated by simple sentences mostly and complex sentences partially,which resonates with He&Zhang(2013)and which,thus,extends the empirical coverage of their statement;and(v)SVCs in Chinese and Southeast Asian languages bear close resemblances in their semantic and syntactic functions while featuring major differences in their constituent order,verb contiguity,as well as aspect marking.The motivation for these convergences and divergences might have something to do with the languge itself on the one hand,and the underlying cognition and culture on the other.This study is expected to shed light on the further comparative study of SVCs in Chinese and Southeast Asian languages.