Abstract
The lexicalization process of “guzhi” underwent a transformation from a verbal cross-layer structure to an adjective. In this process, there are several points worthy of attention: first, the object was omitted after “zhi” and the structure center was inclined to “gu”; second, the high frequency of “guzhi + VP” made it possible for reinterpretation; and third, the VPs in the structure were often disyllabic phrases, which further strengthened the role of foot. All these factors worked together, causing the verb-adverbial structure “gu + zhi” gradually faded out and the adjective “guzhi” appeared in large numbers during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Basically in the Qing Dynasty, the lexicalization process was finally completed.
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Reanalysis and reinterpretation are different. Reanalysis refers to changes of sentence hierarchies within one structure, while reinterpretation refers to changes of direct components’ relationships. Sentence hierarchies keep the same.
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Jin, H., Dong, Y. (2020). Investigation on the Lexicalization Process and Causes of “Guzhi”. In: Hong, JF., Zhang, Y., Liu, P. (eds) Chinese Lexical Semantics. CLSW 2019. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 11831. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38189-9_29
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