A Study Of Lexicalization Patterns For Motion Verbs In English And French Based On Bounding Constraint

Talmy defines that the basic Motion event consists of one object (the Figure)moving or located with respect to another object (the reference object or Ground). Itis analyzed as having six components:‘Figure’ and ‘Ground’,‘Motion’ and ‘Path’,and ‘Manner’ or ‘Cause’. Based on these particular components characteristicallyrepresented in the verb, Talmy makes a two-way typology: Verb-framed languages(V-language) and Satellite-framed languages (S-language). French as a typicalV-language expresses both the fact of Motion and the Path in the verb itself, whereasEnglish as a typical S-language expresses both Motion and the Manner in the verb,and path is expressed by an element associated with the verb. However, Talmy’two-way typology is too simplistic. English and French do not behave in the sameway as Talmy’s description. Based on lexicalization difference proposed by Talmy,the paper aims to put forward a further bounding constraint on lexicalizationdifference between English and French, with the principle of boundary crossingconstraint and boundary coincidence constraint.There are five chapters in this thesis:Chapter One presents a general introduction to this study. It includes the scope,motivation, research scope, methodology, data collection and layout of the thesis.Chapter Two presents a literature review of the Motion Event andLexicalization. Application of Motion Event is summarized in mainly three aspects.Then the gap is founded in previous studies.Chapter Three proposes the Bounding Constraint on difference in thelexicalization patterns between English and French. It is consisted of two principles,the Boundary-crossing Constraint and Boundary Coincidence Constraint. Finally, acase study will be used to testify its explanation power.Chapter Four deals with data analysis and discussion. Three types of verbs ofmotion are discussed: path verbs, manner verbs, and path-manner verbs.Chapter Five makes conclusions from the above research. It summarizes the main contribution to the study. The limitation and suggestions are also given for thefurther research.