词汇和语法的关系——几种语法模式的比较研究

The Relationship between Lexicon and Grammar——A Review of Four Grammatical Models

几乎所有的语言学理论都会观照到词汇和语法的关系。生成语法认为词汇属于基础部分,决定句子具体的语法特征。在认知语言学、系统功能语言学以及型式语法中,词汇和语法构成连续统,二者之间没有明确的界限。认知语言学将词汇和语法结构都看作构式,二者的差异体现在结构的复杂性和抽象程度上。在系统功能语言学中,词汇和语法构成连续统的两端,二者精密度不同,词汇是最精密的语法。型式语法主张词汇、语法不分家,二者都通过型式得以实现。这些语法理论有的是语法导向的,有的词汇导向的,有的词汇和语法并重。它们都是为各自的总体理论目标服务,都承认词汇和语法密不可分,词语决定具体的特征,语法负责一般的规律,词汇是开放的,语法是封闭的,二者相辅相成,共同为表达意义服务。认清这些基本事实对于理解不同的语言学理论以及语言实践都具有重要意义。

Lexicon and grammar are integrated into different grammatical theories.In generative grammar,lexicon belongs to the base component and it determines the particular syntactic features of the sentence.Cognitive grammar,systemic functional grammar,and pattern grammar agree that grammar and lexis form a continuum and there is not a clear-cut dividing line between them.Cognitive grammarians take both lexicon and grammar as constructions differing in complexity and schematicity.Systemic functional grammarians＇ dream is to include lexicon into their grammatical systems as the most delicate grammar.In pattern grammar,lexis and grammar are inseparable,both being expressed in the pattern.These theories all agree that lexicon and grammar are closely related to one another.Lexicon is open;it is particular and irregular.While grammar is closed;it is regular and general.They coordinate with each other in expressing meaning.Awareness of such basic facts will help in understanding the theories and it has some implications for language description and education.