Abstract

Structure “Shang(up)/Xia(down) + quantity (+X)” is not a simple combination of locality and quantity, instead, it is formed to mark a subcategory of the category indicating quantity of range. In the structure, “Shang(up)/Xia(down)” is of fixed direction, quantity is often seen to be expressed by singular numeral “yi”, the majority of measure words are ordinal ones, and X is mainly nominal and could often be omitted. “Shang(up)/Xia(down) + quantity (+X)” is constructed in a unique way: the directionality and demarcation of “Shang(up)/Xia(down)” would clearly highlight quantitative words’ significance of referring to a complex, while the bounding function of quantitative words would, in the other hand, demarcate the boundaries of orientated “Shang(up)/Xia(down)”.

Highlights

  • Linguists have conducted a series of studies on the combination of “localizer + quantifier” which is quite commonly seen in Chinese, and research results are reflected in the following aspects: Study of spatial significance [1]; study of the meaning of time [2]; study of cognitive metaphor [3] [4]; and the comparative study of acquisition, are mostly seen in graduate students’ dissertations

  • Structure “shang(up)/xia(down) + quantity (+X)” is not a simple combination of locality and quantity, instead, it is formed to mark a subcategory of the category indicating quantity of range

  • “shang(up)/ xia(down)” is of fixed direction, quantity is often seen to be expressed by singular numeral “yi”, the majority of measure words are ordinal ones, and X is mainly nominal and could often be omitted

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Summary

Introduction

Linguists have conducted a series of studies on the combination of “localizer + quantifier” which is quite commonly seen in Chinese, and research results are reflected in the following aspects: Study of spatial significance [1]; study of the meaning of time [2]; study of cognitive metaphor [3] [4]; and the comparative study of acquisition, are mostly seen in graduate students’ dissertations. Examples in 2a represent a three-dimensional spatial relation, the framework of which show the basic usage of “shang(up)” and “xia(down)”—in the vertical direction In this case “shang(up)”/“xia(down)” cannot be replaced by “qian”/“hou”, which mean front and rear-in the horizontal direction. “shang”(up) and “xia”(down) in the second category should be used before quantity phrases without the support of specific references, indicating direction rather than position, functioning as localizers which are usually adhesive and cannot be used independently. Neither of these two categories are the typical meaning of “shang”(up) and “xia”(down). These three types of “shang(up)/xia(down)” can form a typical to atypical sequence: localizer as word > direction word > localizer as distinguishing morpheme

Characteristics of Quantitative Phrases
Conclusions
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