Lexicalization

The Origin and Evolution of Chinese Disyllabic Words
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-041-40734-8
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd (Sales)

Buch, Englisch, 448 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 803 g

Reihe: Chinese Linguistics

This book systematically analyses the historical sources and lexicalization of Chinese disyllabic words — a prototypical phrasal category — from diachronic and synchronic perspectives.

Lexicalization is the process by which non-word forms evolve into words over time. Based on extensive observations of linguistic phenomena in Chinese phrases and rigorous theoretical analysis, the book provides a detailed account of the lexicalization of different types of phrases, examining the evolutionary features and varying degrees of lexicalization exhibited by disyllabic words. This study sheds light on the evolutionary modes of disyllabic words and the broader lexical system of the Chinese language, paving the way for new research into Chinese word evolution. The definitions of phrases and words, and the semantic analysis of disyllabic words, also offer valuable insights into Chinese language processing and teaching Chinese as a foreign language.

This title will appeal to scholars and students of Chinese linguistics, as well as language professionals and learners interested in the Chinese language and its distinctive features.

Zielgruppe

Academic, Postgraduate, Professional Practice & Development, Undergraduate Advanced, and Undergraduate Core

Autoren/Hrsg.

Xiufang, Dong

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Sprachwissenschaften
• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Fremdsprachenerwerb und -didaktik
• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Grammatik, Syntax, Morphologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction 2. Main Evolutionary Ways of Disyllabic Words in Chinese 3. Disyllabic Words Lexicalized from Phrases  4. From Syntactic Structures to Disyllabic Words 5. From Non-Constituent Structures to Disyllabic Words 6. Evolution of Meanings and Functions of Disyllabic Words 7. Conclusion

Über Autor(innen)

Dong Xiufang is Professor at the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Peking University, China. Her research focuses on the synchronic and diachronic study of Chinese words and syntax.