Since verbal semantics began to receive much attention in linguistics research, many interesting findings have been presented regarding the semantic structure or meaning contrasts in the lexicon of Chinese [cf. Tsai, Huang & Chen, 1996; Tsai et al, 1997; Liu, 1999, etc]. Adopting a corpus-based approach, this paper aims to further study and fine-tune Mandarin verbal semantics by exploring the lexical information specific to verbs of throwing, with four pivotal near-synonomous members: TOU(投), ZHI(擲), DIU(丟), RENG (扔). To account for their semantic differences, two kinds of 'endpoints' are distinguished: the Path-endpoint (i.e., the Goal role) vs. the Event-endpoint (i.e., the resultative state). These two variables are crucial for cross-categorizing the four verbs. Although the verbs all describe a directed motion with a Path in their event structure, they differ in their lexical specifications on participant roles and aspectual composition. TOU and ZHI have a specified Path-endpoint while DIU and RENG do not specify a Path-endpoint. Moreover, TOU and ZHI can be further contrasted in terms of the spatial character of the Path-endpoint they take: TOU selects a spatially bounded Path-endpoint while that of ZHI is unspecified in this regard, as manifested by the fact that TOU collocates most frequently with a CONTAINER-introducing locative. On the other hand, DIU and RENG can be further differentiated in terms of event composition: only DIU, not RENG, allows an aspectual focus on the endpoint of the event contour (the Event-endpoint) since it manifests a resultative use. The observed distinctions are then incorporated into a representational paradigm called the Module-Attribute Representation of Verbal Semantics (MARVS), proposed in Huang & Ahrens [1999]. Finally, conclusions are drawn as to the most effective approach to lexical semantic study of Mandarin as well as theoretical implications in general.
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