“前”“后”时空隐喻表达时间指向的参照模式解释

A FoR Account for the Interpretation of Qian and Hou Spatio-Temporal Metaphorical Expressions

汉语“前”“后”时空隐喻表达既可指过去又可指未来,以往使用“时间在动”和“自我在动”两个隐喻模式的研究并不能很好地解释这一时间指向矛盾,而新近的研究虽意在触及问题本质,实未达其功。本研究借鉴有关参照模式跨语研究成果,认为Moore(2006)及Núez&Sweetser(2006)提出的自我参照点(Ego-RP)与时间参照点(Time-RP)时间认知模式能够很好解决汉语“前”“后”时间指向的争议。“前”表过去,“后”表未来属于Time-RP模式;“前”表未来,“后”表过去属于Ego-RP模式中的“自我在动”(Moving Ego)子模式。我们的分析揭示汉语“前”“后”隐喻时空表达的主导模式是Time-RP,而Moving Ego只是起补充作用的次模式,因而对其指向矛盾问题提供了一个统一解释。

The spatio-temporal metaphorical expressions of Qian “front” and hou “back” in Chinese can indicate either the past or the future, the interpretation of which could not be resolved by resorting to the traditional “Moving Ego” and “Moving Time” models. Building on related cross-linguistic research findings regarding frame of reference, this study proposes that Moore’s(2006)and Núnez & Sweetser’s(2006)Ego-RP and Time-RP models can resolve the opposing interpretation of qian and hou temporal expressions. Qian referring to the past and hou to the future adopt Time-RP model while qian referring to the future and hou to the past employ Moving Ego which is a subtype of Ego-RP model. Our analysis gives a unified account to the interpretation issue of qian and hou spatio-temporal metaphorical expressions by revealing their predominant employment of Time-RP model with Moving Ego of Ego-RP only as a supplementary.