This paper explores the semantic features and formation mechanism of the modern Chinese constructions “Yǒu Diǎn Xiǎo X (有点小X)” by utilizing collostructional analysis, which is based on the BLCU Corpus Center (BCC) Modern Chinese Corpus. The findings indicate that the constructions can be categorized into modifier–head structures and verb–object structures. The lexical items of the former group of structures are mostly verbs and adjectives, which express quantifiable qualitative statements, whereas the lexical items of the latter group of structures are mostly nominal and express existential relevance semantics. The prototypical construction of “Yǒu Diǎn Xiǎo A/V” is a “degree adverb + predicate” structure, as opposed to “Yǒu Diǎn Xiǎo N”. The construction coercion influences both the components and the lexical items concurrently, revealing an interaction between them. The lexical items show varying predicative or referential features, whereas the components “Yǒu Diǎn” and “Xiǎo” present distinct adverbial characteristics associated with degree.

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The Prototype Semantics and Formation Mechanism of the Constructions Yǒu Diǎn Xiǎo X

  • Menglan Chen,
  • Rui Liu

摘要

This paper explores the semantic features and formation mechanism of the modern Chinese constructions “Yǒu Diǎn Xiǎo X (有点小X)” by utilizing collostructional analysis, which is based on the BLCU Corpus Center (BCC) Modern Chinese Corpus. The findings indicate that the constructions can be categorized into modifier–head structures and verb–object structures. The lexical items of the former group of structures are mostly verbs and adjectives, which express quantifiable qualitative statements, whereas the lexical items of the latter group of structures are mostly nominal and express existential relevance semantics. The prototypical construction of “Yǒu Diǎn Xiǎo A/V” is a “degree adverb + predicate” structure, as opposed to “Yǒu Diǎn Xiǎo N”. The construction coercion influences both the components and the lexical items concurrently, revealing an interaction between them. The lexical items show varying predicative or referential features, whereas the components “Yǒu Diǎn” and “Xiǎo” present distinct adverbial characteristics associated with degree.