基于语料的英、汉语图形、背景语序关系对比研究

A Corpus-Based Contrastive Study of Figure-Ground Order between Chinese and English

本文通过语料调查证明,在表示存现的场景时,英、汉语中图形、背景的顺序并非完全呈现相反的倾向性。当图形确定时,英、汉语同时呈现"图形先于背景"的语序;当图形不确定时,英、汉语的语序依赖于我们对there的功能认定。唯有认定there不具备充当抽象背景的功能时,前人关于英汉语言图形、背景语序对立的结论才能成立。

This corpus-based survey demonstrates that the Figure-Ground order in locative sentences between Chinese and English are not necessarily contradictory. When Figure is definite, Figure tends to precede Ground in both Chinese and English ; when Figure is indefinite, the Figure-Ground order depends on the interpretation of there. Only if there is not considered to serve as an abstract Ground will the Figure-Ground order between Chinese and English locative sentences constitute a contrast.