The argument realization of Mandarin inverted resultative constructions and its motivation

This paper illustrates the argument realization of Mandarin inverted resultative constructions (henceforth MIRCs) and its motivation within the framework of cognitive construction grammar and draws implications both for principles of cognitive construction grammar, and for the relationship between the agent and the causer. Close examinations of data show that the argument realization of MIRCs results from the interplay of language-internal factors (the interaction of verbal semantics and constructional meaning) and language-external factors (language users’ construal). Specifically, the results show that (1) the thematic roles specified by verbs interact and fuse with the argument roles of the construction, which results in different ways of realizing the causer and the causee owing to the motivation of cognition (metonymy, reference point relationships and encyclopaedic knowledge); (2) the argument realization of MIRCs is also constrained by the language users’ construal as different construals of an event can result in different argument realizations, (3) language users’ construal of situations plays the first and foremost role in the argument realization of constructions, and (4) the agent argument can also be omitted when it is construed to be de-emphasized.

Publication year:2020

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Authors from:Higher Education

Accessibility:Open