名词动用研究中的几个问题

Some Issues in the N→V Conversion Study

本文考察以下4个问题:导致名词产生功能转移(指称变为描述)的机制、名动互换的本质、成为转喻焦点的语义要求、名词动用经济性的来源。"事物"参与"关系"(事件图式)提供了名动互含的认知语义基础。识解作为一种想象能力是名词动用的操作方式。名词必须是属于基础水平范畴才能成为转喻焦点的观点是过度概括。语义并入是达到经济的主要手段。名词动用虽然表现为一个语言使用问题,但本质是体现人类概念的转换过程。探讨名词动用的过程及其发生机制有利于解释概念的转换机制、思维的创新机制。

The paper aims to work out the following four issues concerning N→V conversion： the cognitive mechanisms to bring about the function shift of nouns before conversion, the nature of the conversion, the semantic requirement of the converted noun and the sources for economy in the conversion. The paper holds that THING＇ s participation in RELATION provides the basis for the overlapping between noun and verb, and construal completes the process of functional shift, N→V conversion or vice versa is conceptual conversion, The paper also proves that the requirement of the basic-level-category noun for conversion is overgeneralized, The economy of N→V is achieved by way of semantic incorporation. Though a language use in form, N→V conversion recapitulates the processes of concept change and transformation. Therefore, findings in the mechanisms of N→V conversion will certainly shed light on concept transformation and creativity in thought.