The Research Of Embedding Structure "Not X Not Y"

The notion"embedding structure" is a kind of phrasal structure in Chinese in which two fixed characters are separated by two flexible characters. While the fixed part suggests the particular construction and particular pragmatic function,language subjects might insert with great freedom the flexible part in between to express a variety of meanings and feelings. Thus the structure is highly productive and practical,leading to a considerable number of new Chinese phrases such as’‘千…百…”、“一…一…”、“东…西…”、“…三…四”、“…来…去”.It is difficult for The foreigners to understand "embedding structure",because of its formal and semantic features."Embedding structure" consists of fixed part and flexible part, recorded as "A...B/A..."and"...A...B"construction. It is characterized by it fixity and productivity. The meaning of embedding structure is a combination of fixed part’s meaning, flexible part’s meaning and constructional semantics.In order to further analyze the embedding structure, the paper selected "not X not Y"as the object of study. First, this paper analyzes the grammatical restriction of X and Y. According to the semantic relations between "not X"and "not Y", embedding structure can be classified coordinate relation, attributed-head relation and "chai he" relation. Then we studied the position order of X and Y,and focused on the constructional semantics, grammatical features and grades of lexicalization.Embedding structure can serve as every sort of elements in sentence, which has declarative and descriptive in expressive function.Besides embedding structure can also sever as clause in a compound sentence. People like embedding structure because of its particular pragmatic value. By using embedding structure, speaker’s can express their attitudes and emotions, and stress the central issue of sentence. Embedding structure not only makes the expression vivid and oral,but also makes the speech sound beautiful.