基于语料库的英语非表量a(n) N_1 of N_2结构研究

Study of Non-classifier “a(n) N_1 of N_2” Structure in English

本文借助美国当代英语语料库对非表量a(n)N_1 of N_2结构的语义特征、句法特征、语篇特征、认知功能等方面进行了探究。研究发现,该结构的语义焦点为N_1,而N_2为N_1的属性,因此,N_1与N_2之间的语义关系是N_2指向N_1的转喻映射;在句法上,该结构是以N_1为核心的名词性词团,因此其作主语或宾语时,动词必须与N_1保持一致,而且该结构的前置信息和后置信息也必须与N_1相照应;在语篇上,该结构的语义焦点会随语境变换,若其先行或下文成分与N_1照应,则为非表量结构,若与N_2照应,则为表量结构;在认知功能上,该结构是为了使N_1具体化,绝大多数N_1是空间上有界的事物和时间上有界的事件。

Based upon the Copus of Contemporary American Englsih,the study explores the semantic feature,syntactic features,discourse features as well as cognitive functions of non-classifier ＂a（ n） N_1 of N_2＂structure. The research findings are： a） In these structures,N_1 is the semantic focus,and N_2 is various attributes of N_1. So ＂of N_2＂is the postpositive attributive; b） As the majority of N_2 are the attributes of N_1,the relationship between N_1 and N_2is bound to be the N_1-oriented metonymic mapping; c） In regard to discourse features,the semantic focus of ＂a（ n） N_1 of N_2＂structures changes with the context; if its antecedent or subsequent referent refers to N_1,the structure is a nonclassifier; otherwise,it is a classifier; d） The cognitive function of the non-classifier structure is to make the bounded N_1 become more specific and the main representatives of N_1 are bounded entities and events.