入场理论框架下的英文关系分句探析——兼与吴吉龙、蔡龙权先生商榷

A Grounding Approach to the Analysis of Relative Clause:A Discussion with Wu Jilong and Cai Longquan

吴吉东和蔡龙权将关系词归为入场元素范畴,并以此解释关系从句的入场操作。本文借助Brisard归纳的入场元素属性对关系词进行审核,发现关系词不具备入场元素的基本特征。关系词语义框架内的射体与界标分别被关系从句和主句先行词阐释。关系从句构建的意念场景和会话参与者构建的认知场景分别提供了一个认知参照点,为先行词入场提供基础。当认知场景参照点无法提供充足信息时,意念场景参照点辅助其完成名词入场,并形成限定性定语从句;当认知场景参照点提供充足信息完成名词入场后,意念场景参照点为入场名词提供额外信息,增加其精细度,形成非限定性定语从句。

Wu Jilong and Cai Longquan labelled relativizer as grounding predicate and used it to explain the grounding mechanism of relative clause. Based on the criteria by Brisard, this paper points out that relativizer is unqualified as grounding predicate. The trajector and the landmark of a relativizer are elaborated by the relative clause and the antecedent respectively. The reference point in the conceived situation rooted in a relative clause, together with the reference point in ground, results in the grounding of a nominal. When the reference point in ground fails to identify an intended referent, the one in the conceived situation is activated, and a restrictive clause is formed. When the reference point in the ground offers enough information to identify an intended referent, the one in the conceived situation can enhance the granularity of the nominal, and a non-restrictive clause is formed.