A Cognitive Study On Expressive Features Of English Fictive Motion Constructions

Fictive motion is a distinctive spatial motion event in which stationary entities are represented using motion verbs.Traditionally,such language structures have been viewed as metaphors in linguistics.Since the 1970 s,scholars such as Talmy have conducted cognitive research on this unique linguistic phenomenon,naming it “fictive motion.”According to Talmy’s findings,“fictive motion” can be divided into six main types,namely,“emanation path”,“pattern path”,“frame-relative path”,“advent path”,“access path” and “co-extension path”.Previous studies have identified six types of FMCs in English,each with its own syntactic,semantic and pragmatic features and they have definitely inspired this research.However,the expressive features of these constructions and the factors that influence them still need to explore.In light of this,based on the motion event-frame and cognitive theories,this study undertook a cognitive investigation of the expressive features of English fictive motion constructions,examining the syntactic,semantic,and pragmatic aspects of the six types of fictive motion constructions,along with the factors that impact these features.This study seeks to address the following research questions:(1)What are the expressive features of English fictive motion constructions?(2)What are the factors that influence the expressive features of English fictive motion constructions?To explore these questions,this study employs the method of retrieving and generating corpus data from two online platforms like Microsoft and Google,enabling a systematic examination of the syntactic,semantic,and pragmatic features of English fictive motion constructions.Moreover,it incorporates relevant cognitive theories to elucidate the fundamental reasons and evidence behind these features.The primary findings of this study indicate that the expressive features of English fictive motion constructions are determined by their syntactic forms,semantic contents,and pragmatic functions.Each of the six types of English fictive motion constructions exhibits distinct expressive features and is influenced by specific factors:(1)Emanation path: Emphasizes the source of motion.Influencing factors include the relevance and prominence of the starting point.(2)Pattern path: Highlights the path of motion.Influencing factors include the salience of the path and the presence of landmarks or obstacles.(3)Frame-relative path: Focuses on the relative position of motion.Influencing factors include the chosen frame of reference and spatial relationships within the frame.(4)Advent path: Stresses the endpoint of motion.Influencing factors include the significance of the goal or target and the speaker’s perspective on the destination.(5)Access path: Emphasizes the means or manner of motion.Influencing factors include the mode of transportation or movement and the speaker’s intention or purpose.(6)Co-extension path: Highlights the co-occurrence of motion with another event.Influencing factors include the temporal relationship and causal or correlational connection between the motion and the other event.Above,this study places particular emphasis on the syntactic forms,semantic meanings,and pragmatic functions of fictive motion constructions,contextualizing them within specific scenarios.Its findings will contribute to a better understanding and teaching of fictive motion constructions from a cognitive linguistic perspective,benefiting English teachers,learners,and researchers.Ultimately,this research will enhance the effectiveness of English language learning and facilitate the fluent utilization of fictive motion constructions across various contexts.