Return to search

Cause-effect transitivity: a lexical semantic classification and analysis of underpassivized verbs in L2 English = 因果及物性 : 以語義驅動的二語英語低被動化之類型劃分解析研究. / 因果及物性: 以語義驅動的二語英語低被動化之類型劃分解析研究 / Cause-effect transitivity: a lexical semantic classification and analysis of underpassivized verbs in L2 English = Yin guo ji wu xing : yi yu yi qu dong de er yu Ying yu di bei dong hua zhi lei xing hua fen jie xi yan jiu. / Yin guo ji wu xing: Yi yu yi qu dong de er yu Ying yu di bei dong hua zhi lei xing hua fen jie xi yan jiu

本論文從詞彙語義的角度探討二語英語中的低被動化現象。本文將就常見的低被動化英語動詞,以動詞語義為基礎,進行類型劃分及解析。通過審視一個香港學習者語料庫中的低被動化結構,本文將確定二語英語中低被動化結構的性質以及分佈情況。基於一組因果及物性的語義特徵,語料庫中經常被學習者低被動化的動詞,將劃分為四類型:一)改變位置動詞,二)三方動詞,三)動態效應動詞,及四)非施事動詞;四主類型再劃分為九次類型。本論文將以語義特徵,例如力傳遞、因果關係和結束點,詳細解析每個低被動化動詞。這項就二語英語中低被動化動詞的類型劃分,不單能夠從語義的角度解析低被動化現象,亦可以用作分析其他與語態有關的二語現象,如泛被動化,以及應用於語言教學。 / This dissertation is a lexical semantic study of underpassivized verbs in L2 English. By adopting a verb-oriented and meaning-based approach to underpassivization, this study produces a lexical semantic classification and analysis of frequently underpassivized verbs. A Hong Kong learner corpus is examined in order to determine the nature and extent of underpassivized constructions in L2 English. Based on a set of semantic features of cause-effect transitivity, underpassivization-prone verbs in the corpus are classified into four types, namely 1) Change of position verbs, 2) Tripartite verbs, 3) Dynamic effect verbs and 4) Non-agentive verbs. A total of nine sub-types are identified, and each verb is analyzed according to semantic features such as force transmission, causation, affectedness and telicity. The typology not only provides a lexical semantic account of L2 underpassivization but can also be applied to analyze other voice-related L2 phenomena such as overpassivization and to inform pedagogical practices. / The present study is an initial attempt to apply findings from lexical semantics to the description and explanation of learner errors. Previous studies mainly regard L2 underpassivization as a syntactic phenomenon that can be accounted for using transfer, and argue that L2 underpassivization is the result of the transfer of the topic-comment structure in L1s such as Chinese and Japanese to English (Yip 1995). The transfer theory overlooks the role verb meaning plays in voice-related errors, and is limited in its ability to explain the L2 phenomenon fully. This study investigates underpassivization as a lexical semantic phenomenon, drawing from previous works on proto-roles (Dowty 1991), event structure (Croft 1994) and transitivity (Hopper & Thompson 1980; Tsunoda 1985), and following the tradition in lexical semantics of analyzing verb meaning based on argument alternations (Pinker 1989; Levin 1993). It is believed that when learners underpassivize verbs, they are detransitivizing and decausativizing an originally transitive event. Using the features of cause-effect transitivity, the study shows that reduced transitivity will cause problems for learners in their construal of the event’s cause-effect relation and hence their allocation of thematic roles in the verb’s argument structure, resulting in underpassivization. It is hoped that by focusing on argument structure and event dynamics, this study can offer insights into the impact of verb meaning in the construal of transitivity and the use and misuse of grammatical voice. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Wong, Suzanne Shu-Shan. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-235). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Wong, Suzanne Shu-Shan.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:cuhk.edu.hk/oai:cuhk-dr:cuhk_1077647
Date January 2014
ContributorsWong, Suzanne Shu-Shan (author.), Chinese University of Hong Kong Graduate School. Division of English, (degree granting institution.)
Source SetsThe Chinese University of Hong Kong
LanguageEnglish, Chinese
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, bibliography, text
Formatelectronic resource, electronic resource, remote, 1 online resource (3 unnumbered leaves, ii, 235 leaves), computer, online resource
RightsUse of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons “Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International” License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Page generated in 0.0021 seconds