基线/阐释理论框架下英语中动构式的句法与语义界面研究

A Study of the Syntax-Semantics Interface of English Middle Constructions from the Perspective of Baseline/Elaboration Theory

摘要: 本文在认知语法的基线/阐释理论框架下，从典型与非典型两个维度，探讨英语中动构式的句法与语义界面及其实现机制与路径。研究认为，概念化主体以动作事件为基线，通过施事隐含与性状特征调适等阐释操作，使受事或旁格论元的内在性质在动作框架中外显，形成性质触发事件；动作事件与性质触发事件经由核心论元同一性相互融合，构成完整中动事件；概念化主体将中动事件转为意象图式，通过隐喻投射到句法结构上，表征为由主语NP、动作成分以及性质成分构成的完整中动句；中动事件与其句法结构之间配对，相互作用、彼此映射，实现中动句的句法与语义界面。典型与非典型构式虽在论元配置与形式标记上呈现差异，但两者共享统一的认知生成路径。研究结果为英语中动构式的教学与习得提供了认知理据。

Abstract: Within the theoretical framework of Baseline/Elaboration Theory in Cognitive Grammar, this paper investigates the syntax-semantics interface of English middle constructions as well as their realization mechanism and paths from both prototypical and non-prototypical dimensions. It is contended that the conceptualizer first perceives and experiences an action event, which is regarded as a baseline. Through elaboration operations such as agent suppression and property adjustment, the inherent properties of the patient or oblique argument are externalized within the action frame, giving rise to the property-triggered event. The action event and the property-triggered event are then integrated into a complete middle event via the identity of core arguments. Subsequently, the conceptualizer transforms this middle event into an image schema, which is metaphorically projected onto syntactic structure, yielding a full middle sentence composed of the subject NP, the action constituent, and the property constituent. The middle event and its syntactic structure are paired, interact, and mutually map onto each other, thereby realizing the syntax-semantics interface of the middle construction. Despite their divergences in argument configuration and formal markings, prototypical and non-prototypical constructions share a unified cognitive generative pathway. These findings provide cognitive evidence for the teaching and acquisition of English middle constructions.