英语中动结构修饰语的语料库研究

A corpus-based study of adverbial modifiers in English middle constructions

通过语料库的考察发现,中动结构修饰语的类别多样,副词只是其中的一类。修饰语是一种语用制约而非句法要求,是否要求修饰语取决于该中动结构能否提供足够的信息量。要求什么样的修饰语则取决于动词的语义框架。中动句的动词和修饰语一起来表达主语的典型属性或者物性。整体而言,Jackendoff的六类副词都可用于中动结构,而非以往文献中所说的局限于特定类别,但不是每一类中的每一个副词都可以跟所有中动动词搭配构成合法中动句,而须看二者的组合是否表述主语的属性。中动结构的副词也并非只能出现于动词之后,部分只能出现于助动词之后的副词也可以和相关动词构成合法中动句。中动结构对于副词确实呈现选择制约,它排斥语义指向为施事的副词,这跟中动结构的认知功能是相吻合的。

A corpora survey indicates that there are several types of adverbial modifications in middle constructions,and adverbs is only one of them. Adverbial modification is a pragmatic constraint rather than a grammatical requirement. Whether a middle construction requires an adverbial medication relies on whether the middle construction is informative enough. Which type of adverbial modifier is required is decided by the semantic frame of the verb. The combination of the verb and the adverbial modifier works to illustrate the typical inherent property or qualia of the subject involved. The six types of adverbs classified by Jackendoff can all appear in middle constructions,but not every adverb in those categories can form middles with each middable verb. It is not the case that adverbs can only appear in the post-verbal position. Many adverbs which usually appear after auxiliary verbs can also make acceptable middles together with middable verbs. There is indeed selection restriction for adverbs in middles,namely,the agent-oriented volitional adverbs are not allowed in middles,which is in accordance with the cognitive function of middles. It is also found that adjectives can also be used as adverbial modifier in middles,but all of them have corresponding adverbs. It may well be the case that the use of adjectives as adverbial modifiers might be due to idiosyncratic variation.