Abstract

Chinese suffix hua conveys the schematic meaning of change. As a dependent unit, it must be attached to the independent adjectives and nouns to form derivatives like “美化” (beautify), “绿化” (afforest), “城市化” (urbanize), “老龄化” (aging). Despite the previous studies made on hua-suffixed words, the remaining problems that this thesis attempts to tackle from the perspective of Cognitive Grammar are: the basis and formation mechanism of hua-suffixation, the nature of the meaning of hua-suffixed words, the types of words that suffix hua can be combined with.

    Adjectives profile the properties of entities, but imply the action chain that someone takes a series of actions to cause the entities in question to take on the properties expressed by the adjectives. The action chain implied by the adjectives will be the basis of hua-suffixation. Hua-suffxiation suppresses the property meaning of adjectives, but evokes the action chain implied by the adjectives on a more detailed level. Profiling the different parts of the action chain from certain perspectives will form the transitive and intransitive verbs or nouns with summary scanning.

    As for the meaning of hua-suffixed words, hua-suffixation only profiles the agent at the head of the action chain implied by the adjectives and the theme at the end of the action chain that undergoes the change while leaves out or gaps all the other actions that bring about the change. Therefore, hua-suffixed words only express the meaning of result rather than the manner of carrying out the actions to bring about the result.

    The suffix hua cannot be attached to all the adjectives. Only the adjectives of the open class can hua be combined with. Moreover, hua-suffixation with nouns is productive. But among them, abstract nouns are most productive with hua suffix, followed by concrete nouns, proper nouns and finally collective nouns. 

Key words: Cognitive Grammar, hua-suffix, word formation

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Significance of the Study-1

1.2 The Need and the Purpose of this Study-1

1.3 Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Definition of the Suffix Hua-3

2.2 Related Studies-4

2.3 Research Questions-5

Chapter Three Theoretical Framework-6

3.1 Profiling-6

3.2 Trajector-7

3.3 Action Chain-8

3.4 Coding Strategy-9

Chapter Four Cognitive Grammar Analysis of Chinese Hua-suffixation-12

4.1 The Basis of Hua-suffixation-12

4.2 The Mechanism of Hua-suffixation-12

4.3 The Meaning of Hua-suffixed Words-14

4.4 Types of Adjectives that Hua Can Be Attached to-15

4.5 Types of Nouns that Hua Can Be Attached to-15

Chapter Five Conclusion-20

5.1 Major Findings of the Study-20

5.2 Limitations of the Study-21

5.3 Suggestions for Future Study-21

References-22

文献综述报告-24