基于COCA语料库的动词Build扩展意义单位研究

A Study on the Extended Unit of Meaning of the Verb Build Based on the COCA Corpus

摘要: 在语料库语言学研究中，词汇意义不再被视为孤立存在，而是通过与周围词项的共选关系在语境中动态建构。本研究将基于Sinclair的扩展意义单位(EUM)模型，以美国当代英语语料库(COCA)为数据来源，对动词build的语义特征与使用模式展开分析，旨在描写其在真实语料中的典型共选模式，为英语词汇研究及相关教学实践提供参考。首先在COCA中提取build的前20位高频搭配词，考察其类联接结构，并归纳语义倾向与语义韵特征，从而完成扩展意义的寻找。研究结果表明：围绕build形成的扩展意义单位主要有build [BUILDING]，build [SYSTEM]，build [WEAPON]，build [RELATIONSHIP]和build...on/upon [FOUNDATION]五种，且基本传达积极的态度意义。本研究为扩展意义单位理论在词汇研究中的有效性提供了实证支持，并有助于英语学习者加深对语言形式和意义的理解。

Abstract: In corpus linguistics research, meaning of words is no longer seen as existing in isolation, but is constructed in context dynamically through co-selection relationships with surrounding words. Based on Sinclair’s Extended Unit of Meaning (EUM) model, this study uses the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) as the data source to analyze the semantic features and usage patterns of the verb build, aiming to describe its typical co-selection patterns in authentic corpora and provide references for English lexical research and related teaching practices. Firstly, the top 20 high-frequency collocates of build will be extracted from COCA. Then with the concordance lines, the colligation patterns will be found, and semantic preference will also be analyzed. Based on the above steps, this study will summarize the semantic prosody, thereby describing the extended units of meaning around build. The results indicate that there are mainly five types of EUM formed around build, which are build [BUILDING], build [SYSTEM], build [WEAPON], build [RELATIONSHIP] and build...on/upon [FOUNDATION], and they generally convey a positive attitudinal meaning. This study provides empirical support for the validity of the EUM theory in lexical research and helps English learners deepen their understanding of language form and meaning.