Verbal Semantics and Cross-frame Interaction: A Study of Mandarin Verbal Evaluation Verbs

Abstract

This study aims to provide a frame-based analysis of Mandarin verbal evaluation verbs which inherit semantic as well as grammatical properties from both the Judgment and Communication domains. Mandarin verbal evaluation verbs are unique in that they inherit from more than :one frame, displaying cross-categorial features. However, the cross-categorial properties have not been clearly investigated and adequately defined in previous studies. Adopting the Frame Semantics approach (Fillmore & Atkins 1992) and the hierarchical frame structures (Liu & Chang 2005), this study aims to investigate: 1) the form-function correlations lexicalized in verbal evaluation verbs; 2) the distinctions of Mandarin verbal evaluation verbs; and 3) the cross-frame interactions between statement and judgment verbs. By mapping the syntactic realizations and semantic properties, two subgroups of Mandarin verbal evaluation verbs conveying speaker's judgment are found: 1) Statement Evaluation frame and 2) Evaluation_direct address frame. To conclude, this study is significant in exploring the complex cross-frame interactions displayed in semantically multi-faceted verbs, ultimately probes into the range of possible frame-to-frame relations in Mandarin.