Word-Class Flexibility in Classical Chinese : Verbal and Adverbial Uses of Nouns

The apparent flexibility of words in Classical Chinese with respect to traditional word classes has always posed a problem in the description of this language and has caused much misunderstanding. Moreover, it has been long understudied, along with the closely related theory of Classical Chinese word classes. This work seeks to summarize previous research on this issue, re-orientate the discourse and construe a new interpretative paradigm that would lead to a more complex and realistic view. It is principally based on a multi-disciplinary approach and supported by the theoretical framework of cognitive linguistics. The study deals with the very conception of word classes, but its focus lies in the analysis of verbal and adverbial functions of nouns. Contents 7 Preface 9 List of Abbreviations 11 Chapter One Introduction 13 Chapter Two Historical Background 26 Chapter Three Modern Approaches 38 Chapter Four Early Chinese Morphology and HY 83 Chapter Five Word Classes in CC and CC Noun 89 Chapter Six Object Words Denoting Processes 123 Chapter Seven Object Words as Modifiers of Action Words 213 Chapter Eight Conclusions and Prospects 252 Literature 257 Index 263 This book seeks to interpret the notorious word-class flexibility in Classical Chinese in a new way, based on a multi-disciplinary perspective and the theoretical background of cognitive linguistics. It focuses on the case of verbal and adverbial functions of nouns.