汉语V+N偏正式复合词的语义结构与构词理据

The Semantic Structure and Motivation of Word Formation of‘V+N’of Chinese Modifying Compound Words

汉语V+N偏正式复合词是重要的构词类型,蕴含复杂的动名关系。我们定量考察了由核心动词构成的双音复合词,探析了这类词的语义结构与形成机制。首先,归纳出四种语义结构:A.功能+限定对象;B.类别+限定对象;C.特征+限定对象;D.成因+限定对象。其次,分析其构词理据并解释成因。理据分析的核心内容是阐释构词的意图以及语义结构如何形成。研究发现,"时间性"是影响结构差异的重要条件:(1)A、B类结构无关时间性,也就无关动词性,标识对象的功能和类别,近似于"N+N"结构。(2)C、D类显现了动素的时间情状,C类为"持续",标识对象特征,近似于"A+N"结构;D类为"完成",标识对象成因,转指后接近"N/A+N"结构。(3)C、D类歧义结构形成的条件是:D类动素决定或改变了所指对象的存在性质;C类名素的主体和客体身份模糊,动名之间可以形成作格关系。

‘V+N’(modifier-modified)makes up a very important type of word formation in Chinese which implicates complex verb-noun relationships.This paper quantitatively investigates compound words of this format,and explores the semantic structures and formation mechanism of such words.Firstly,there are four semantic structures:A.function+defined object;B.generic+defined object;C.characteristic+defined object;D.cause+defined object.Secondly,the motivation of word formation is analyzed,focusing on the explanation of the intention of word-formation and the formation of the semantic structures.It is found that timeliness is an important condition that affects the structural difference.Specifically,Types A and B do not display time structure,thus without verbal attribute;they are used to indicate the function and category of the object,which renders the format similar to‘N+N’.Conversely,Types C and D display time structure:Type C is‘progressive’,which identifies the characteristics of the object and makes the configuration similar to‘A+N’;Type D is‘perfective’,which identifies the cause of the object and is similar to the structure of‘N/A+N’.The conditions for the formation of ambiguity structures of Types C and D are as follows:in Type D,the verb determines or changes the existence nature of the object;in Type C,the noun is vague in itssubject/object identity,which subjects it to an ergative reading with the verb.