International Journal of Computational Linguistics & Chinese Language Processing
Vol. 5, No. 1, February 2000
Title:
A Lexical-Semantic Analysis of Mandarin Chinese Verbs: Representation and Methodology (漢語動詞辭彙語義分析：表達模式與研究方法)

Author:
Li-Li Chang, Keh-Jiann Chen, Chu-Ren Huang

Abstract:
In this paper we will briefly introduce the Module-Attribute Representation of Verbal Semantics (MARVS) and present in detail the methods used to analyze verbal semantics by the CKIP group. The theory and the methodology are based on the analysis of forty synonym pairs of verbs as well as verbs from ten different semantic fields.

This paper will focus on the linguistic data and our research methodology. For more information on the theoretical issues performing to MARVS, please see Huang et al. (this volume). The research results published by the members of CKIP group on a certain synonym pairs or semantic fields will also be discussed in this paper, such as Chang et al. (this volume) on mental verbs, Liu et al. (1997) on building verbs JIAN, GAI and ZAO, Liu et al. (this volume) on throwing verbs TOU, ZHI, DIU and RENG, Liu et al. (1999) on chasing verbs ZHUI and GAN, and Chief et al. (this volume) on verbs meaning “beneficial”, FANGBIAN and BIANLI.

This paper will be organized in the following way. In section 1 we will first introduce our basic ideas on verbal semantics. In section 2 we will discuss three related research topics, i.e. the MARVS theory, the distinction and extension of verbal meanings, and the co-occurrence of verbs with certain sentence patterns or adjuncts. In section 3 the methodology used for analyzing synonym pairs and verbs in a particular semantic field will be presented. In section 4 we will give an example of the near-synonym verbs KUAILE “happy” and GAOXING “glad” and show precisely what to observe, how to compare and how to explain the differences in detail.

This paper is a record of our research methodology and will be used as a technical guide for the CKIP group. We will keep on modifying our research methods and the theory in the future and we look forward to feedback from readers of this paper.

Title:
The Module-Attribute Representation of Verbal Semantics: From Semantic to Argument Structure

Author:
Chu-Ren Huang, Kathleen Ahrens, Li-Li Chang, Keh-Jiann Chen, Mei-Chun Liu, Mei-Chih Tsai

Abstract:
In this paper, we set forth a theory of lexical knowledge. We propose two types of modules: event structure modules and role modules, as well as two sets of attributes: event-internal attributes and role-internal attributes, which are linked to the event structure module and role module, respectively. These module-attribute semantic representations have associated grammatical consequences. Our data is drawn from a comprehensive corpus-based study of Mandarin Chinese verbal semantics, and four particular case studies are presented.

Title:
What Can Near Synonyms Tell Us

Author:
Lian-Cheng Chief, Chu-Ren Huang, Keh-Jiann Chen, Mei-Chih Tsai, Li-Li Chang

Abstract:
This study examines a near synonym pair fangbian and bianli, 'to be convenient,' and extracts the contrasts that dictate their semantic and associated syntactic behaviors. Corpus data reveal important but opaque distributional differences between these synonyms that are not readily apparent based on native speaker intuition. In particular, we argue that this synonym pair can be accounted for with a lexical conceptual profile. This study demonstrates how corpus data can serve as a useful tool for probing the interaction between syntax and semantics.

Title:
Alternation Across Semantic Fields: A Study of Mandarin Verbs of Emotion

Author:
Li-Li Chang, Keh-Jiann Chen, Chu-Ren Huang

Abstract:
This paper explores possible co-relations between lexical semantics and morpho-syntactic structures. We first examine a consistent dichotomy among verbs of emotion,which was first observed for verbs of happiness by Tsai et al. [1998]. It is shown that the dichotomy can be determined based on the criterion of whether a verb is a VV compound or not.2 The linguistic contrasts observed include: the grammatical functions of a verb as well as their distribution, the selectional restrictions the verbs impose as an adjunct, a verb's occurrences in imperative and evaluative constructions, its aktionsart, and its transitivity. We will show that the overt morpho-syntactic contrasts are due to lexical event structure properties. The description of a state (of emotion) can focus on how the state comes to be (i.e., the inchoative state) or on the being of the state (i.e., the homogeneous state). Since VV compounding has the semantic function of referring to the generic properties of the set of event tokens, it is natural for VV compounding to be chosen as the morpho-syntactic representation of homogeneity.

Title:
When Endpoint Meets Endpoint: A Corpus-based Lexical Semantic Study of Mandarin Verbs of Throwing

Author:
Mei-Chun Liu, Chu-Ren Huang, Charles Lee, Ching-Yi Lee

Abstract:
Since verbal semantics began to receive much attention in linguistics research, many interesting findings have been presented regarding the semantic structure or meaning contrasts in the lexicon of Chinese [cf. Tsai, Huang & Chen, 1996; Tsai et al, 1997; Liu, 1999, etc]. Adopting a corpus-based approach, this paper aims to further study and fine-tune Mandarin verbal semantics by exploring the lexical information specific to verbs of throwing, with four pivotal near-synonomous members: TOU (投), ZHI (擲), DIU (丟), RENG (扔). To account for their semantic differences, two kinds of 'endpoints' are distinguished: the Path-endpoint (i.e., the Goal role) vs. the Event-endpoint (i.e., the resultative state). These two variables are crucial for cross-categorizing the four verbs. Although the verbs all describe a directed motion with a Path in their event structure, they differ in their lexical specifications on participant roles and aspectual composition. TOU and ZHI have a specified Path-endpoint while DIU and RENG do not specify a Path-endpoint. Moreover, TOU and ZHI can be further contrasted interms of the spatial character of the Path-endpoint they take: TOU selects a spatially bounded Path-endpoint while that of ZHI is unspecified in this regard, as manifested by the fact that TOU collocates most frequently with a CONTAINER-introducing locative. On the other hand, DIU and RENG can be further differentiated in terms of event composition: only DIU, not RENG, allows an aspectual focus on the endpoint of the event contour (the Event-endpoint) since it manifests a resultative use. The observed distinctions are then incorporated into a representational paradigm called the Module-Attribute Representation of Verbal Semantics (MARVS), proposed in Huang & Ahrens [1999]. Finally, conclusions are drawn as to the most effective approach to lexical semantic study of Mandarin as well as theoretical implications in general.

Keywrod:
Mandarin verbs, Lexical semantics, Verbs of throwing, Event-endpoint, Path-endpoint