THE RESTRICTION OF THE “4±1” MEMORY LIMIT ON CHUNK-CONSTRUCTION IN CHINESE POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND THE EXPLORATION OF ITS ENGLISH TRANSLATION PROCESSING

Abstract

This paper, motivated by the limit theory of memory processing and based on a self-built bilingual parallel corpus, quantitatively describes and qualitatively analyzes the generative constraints of the “4±1” chunk constructions in Chinese political discourses and their English translation paradigm. Here are the major findings. First, chunk constructions are widely and prominently presented in Chinese political discourses and “4±1” chunking manifests itself as the most salient type. Second, the generation of “4±1” chunk constructions and their English translation conform or adapt to the limits of human memory processing, showing language processors’ adaptation to its guidance and restriction in both Chinese and English. Third, the “4±1” chunk constructions and their formulaic sequence clusters, like “double four-word/five-word sequences”, “triple three-word sequences” etc., show the chunkiness and discreteness of ST and its users’ spatiality preference. Fourth, the English translation of Chinese “4±1” chunk constructions presents a co-appearance and a balance of the holistic processing and the analytical process. The English translation shows the continuity and connectivity in TT and its temporality preference. These findings provide a theoretical basis and an observational perspective for future related studies.