江苏兴化方言“头”语义演变与演变机制探析

Exploration into the Semantic Evolution and Mechanism of the Word “Head” in Xinghua Dialect, Jiangsu Province

摘要: 语言类型学研究认为，许多语言中的人体部位词有着共同的语义演变路径。本文从兴化方言中的语素“头”入手，通过方言语料的收集和比较，分析其语义演变和演变机制，过程中与汉语官话比较，同时探求“头”的语法化表现。兴化方言词中“头”的语义演变路径为人体部位 > 方位概念 > 时间概念，存在区别于汉语官话的带有强烈感情色彩和口语化色彩的比喻义引申，这是兴化乡土民风的体现。兴化方言中“头”的语义演变既是隐喻的结果，也是转喻的结果，语义演变的过程伴随着“头”从实词语素逐渐语法化、虚化为词缀。

Abstract: Linguistic typology research suggests that many languages share common semantic evolution paths for terms related to body parts. This study begins with the morpheme “head” in the Xinghua dialect and analyzes its semantic evolution and mechanisms through the collection and comparison of dialectal data. The analysis is conducted in comparison with Mandarin Chinese, while also exploring the grammaticalization of “head.” The semantic evolution path of “head” in the Xinghua dialect follows the trajectory from a body part to a spatial concept and then to a temporal concept. This process includes metaphorical extensions characterized by a strong emotional and colloquial tone, distinct from Mandarin Chinese, which reflects the local customs of Xinghua. The semantic evolution of “head” in the Xinghua dialect results from both metaphor and metonymy, with the process involving the gradual grammaticalization and abstraction of “head” from a concrete morpheme to an affix.