A Study on the Conceptual Interpretation and Subjective Characteristics of “Lai” in Modern Chinese

Abstract

This paper attempts to analyze the polysemy system of "Lai" from the perspective of synchrony. It also attempts to explore the derivation mechanism between various meanings through the construction of image schematic diagram. The semantic structure of "Lai" is a typical conceptual structure of spatial displacement. It includes basic elements such as displacement body, start point, end point, movement and direction. In the process of conceptual construal, due to the different semantic elements highlighted, the subjectivity of each meaning of the verb "Lai" also shows some differences. If "Lai1" is an objective displacement fact that can be observed, the displacement track in "Lai4" can be regarded as a psychological scanning track, while the displacement track of "Lai3" no longer exists, and the displacement fact is recognized as a whole. This process reflects the continuous reduction of objective elements of semantics and the continuous enhancement of subjectivity. Through the cognitive interpretation of the conceptual structure of "Lai", this paper further finds the cognitive motivation for these subjective characteristics. At the same time, it is confirmed from another side that there are also subjective differences in the polysemy category "Lai" at the synchronic level.