“上”与“下”不对称的认知研究

A Cognitive Study of the Asymmetry between "shang" and "xia" in Chinese

不对称是语言中普遍存在的现象,"上/下"及其相关结构的不对称在形式和意义上都有及其明显的表现。本文从认知和功能角度阐明:"上/下"的不对称首先源于其原型的不对称,并在语义特征上表现出序列规律性;借助隐喻投射,"上/下"从其方位词用法向动词等其它用法延伸,从而引起了新的不对称。考察"上/下"被投射的历程(从空间认知域到非空间认知域),我们可以发现语言演变的一个普遍规律——从具体到抽象,从特殊到一般。认知的形成有其客观的物质基础同时又受制于具体的民族文化环境,这是"上/下"不对称的根本动因,也适合对汉语中的不对称现象作出统一的解释。

Asymmetry is the universal phenomenon in languages, and the Chinese expression 'shang/xia' and their relevant structures demonstrate it manifestly both in form and in meaning. This paper attempts to elucidate the following points in the perspective of recognition and function: the a- symmetry of 'shang/xia' can be firstly traced back to their prototype and furthermore follows a spe- cial sequence of order in semantic features; in light of metaphor projecting, 'shang/xia' begins to shift from locative category to the other ones as verb acts and relevant new asymmetry comes out as a consequence. Based on the examination of process of how 'shang/xia' is projected (from spatial cog- nitive domain to non-spatial cognitive domain), one can find out the universal principle governing language change, that is, from concrete to discrete and from specific to general. In conclusion, the a- symmetry of 'shang/xia' results from their physical substantiality and the specific culture in which they are applied, which as a general rule can account for all types of asymmetry in Chinese.