Research On Chinese Metaphorical Classifier

Classifier is an important part of Mandarin vocabulary. Normally a classifier occurs with a number or a demonstrative and is used for measuring. However, a classifier also has rhetorical functions in some poems and prose. This article mainly discussed about the meaning and classification of metaphorical classifier. This article also analyzes the causes and mechanism of classifier based on theory of rhetoric and cognitive metaphor.This article is consisted of six parts.The first chapter is mainly about introduction to the research topic and review of previous research, etc.The second chapter discusses about the meaning and classification of metaphorical classifier, and the causes of metaphorical classifier. There are two categories of metaphorical classifier:apparent metaphorical classifier and convert classifier.The third chapter lists four dominant characteristics of metaphorical classifier: open-ended, subjective, temporary usage and rhetorical function.The fourth chapter puts forward six possible causes of metaphorical classifier: traditions of classifier, motivationality of classifier, transferability of classifier, the demand of literacy creation, the demand of self-expression and the effectiveness of language.The fifth chapter is mainly about how metaphorical classifier work and the related conditions. It works in a dynamic way in which semantic confliction is the precondition, similarity is the base and mapping is the way.The sixth chapter makes conclusions for this article.