此“门”非彼“门”——再议“xx门”模因现象

A Study of "xx-gate" Memetic Phenomenon

"xx门"现象在美国"水门事件"之后,在全球化、信息化、网络化、传媒化等多种因素的推动下,得以迅速、广泛的传播,成为中国近年来一种新兴的修辞表达。在其复制、传播过程中,"门"的意义也发生了变化,由原来专指政治上的丑闻泛化为引人关注或有争议的事情,但并未失去它贬义的语用色彩。媒体的不断炒作,新闻标题的频繁使用,使得人们一看到"xx门"字眼就联想起"丑闻"的含义,但是一些冠以"xx门"的事件并无贬义之义。由于"xx门"词汇暂未收录于词典中,且语用意义复杂,这给我们理解上造成了一定的困难,甚至出现误解。该文基于模因理论分析"xx门"意义演变的过程,并通过举例探讨"xx门"中"门"意义的一些误解,以期引起大家的关注,更加重视语言理解和运用的规范性。

Driven by the development of globalization,informationization,networking and media,'xx-gate' memetic phenomenon has been spread rapidly and extensively since American 'Watergate'.Therefore,'xx-gate' has become a new rhetorical expression of China in recent years.In the process of replication and transmission,the meaning of 'gate' has changed from the scandals in reference to politics to things that arouse attention or controversy,but it still embodies the derogatory meaning.Due to media’s constant speculation and frequent appearance in news headlines,people immediately relate the word 'xx-gate' to 'scandal';However,some events labeled with 'xx-gate' do not have the derogatory meaning.Because the new word 'xx-gate' has not been compiled into dictionaries,and it has complex pragmatic meanings,it has caused some difficulties in understanding,even misinterpretation.Based on the memetic analysis of the evolution of '-gate' meaning,this paper is an attempt to discuss some misinterpretation of the meaning of the 'gate' in many 'xx-gates' by illustrating examples,hoping to arouse people’s attention so as to attach importance to the normalization of language understanding and usage.