生成词库理论下英语动词pour的语义解读

Semantic Analysis of English Verb Pour in Generative Lexicon Theory

基于传统的词典释义往往无法对某些语言使用的实例进行充分的描述,本文运用生成词库理论的相关假设,探讨英语动词pour的动态语义并对语言使用的实例进行阐释。本文考察了英语动词pour的4种句法结构以及句法组合成分的语义匹配。研究发现,通过论元选择生成机制,动词和介词选择与之匹配的论元;组合名词的物性结构促成动词的逻辑多义,甚至影响动词的句法表现:如动词pour的"创造"义、"物质发散"义、"发射"义等的产生,以及对[N1 V N2]结构和中动结构的影响;动词与其组合论元的语义融合性需考虑组合成分优先作用次序。

Considering traditional dictionaries＇ failure in accounting for language in use, this paper, from the perspective of Generative Lexicon （ GL ） , aims at exploring dynamic meanings of English verb pour and thus providing an interpretation of its contextual use. This paper deals with four types of constructions that the verb pour can enter and then semantic compatibility that their compositional elements should keep. First, the verb and preposition select their arguments via generative mechanism of argument selection. In addition, compositional noun＇s qualia structure exerts its effect on the verb＇s logic polysemy and its syntactic behavior, such as verb of creation, verb of substance emission, verb of throwing, etc. that the verb pour is specified with and [ N1 V N2 ] , middle construction as well. It is also pointed out that the precedence principle should be considered when we observe semantic compatibility.