In-depth Notes on Semantic Functions of Prepositions and Postpositions in Chinese Spatial Circumpositions

Abstract: - Circumposition is a syntactic structure in Chinese grammar with unique typological significance. - By analyzing the structural and semantic aspects of prepositions and postpositions in circumpositions, we can improve the theoretical framework of the Chinese adpositional system. - The study focuses on the semantic functions of the spatial circumposition "zai-shang/li/zhong" (在…上/里/中). - Findings suggest that prepositions and postpositions have different semantic functions, influencing the rules around adposition omission. - Two main rules drive adposition omission: mandatory rules of syntactic semantics and spatial semantic self-sufficiency.

Introduction: - Circumposition was named by Greenberg in 1995 and defined as an adposition with a preposition preceding and a postposition following a noun phrase (NP). - Common examples include "zai…shang" (在…上) and "gen…si de" (跟…似的). - Historically, circumposition has been overlooked in Chinese linguistics; most research focuses on prepositions, neglecting postpositions. - Only a few articles discuss circumposition and its typological implications.

Semantic Functions of Prepositions and Postpositions: - Prepositions and postpositions differ in terms of: - Size of syntactic domains they govern - Degree of semantic abstraction - Thematic roles - Specific functions within circumposition structures. - Degree of Semantic Abstraction: - According to Hopper and Traugott, adpositions can be categorized as primary (abstract) and secondary (concrete). - Preposition-dominant languages like English have abstract prepositions. - Liu's classification of Chinese adpositions: - Primary: Relators (e.g., "lai" (来), "er" (而) - Secondary: Basic relational adpositions (e.g., "zai" (在), "cong" (从)) - Tertiary: Concrete relational adpositions (e.g., "shang" (上), "li" (里)). - In the circumposition "zai…shang/li/zhong", "zai" is secondary and marks basic relations, while the postpositions are tertiary, marking concrete relations.

Differences in Semantic Functions: - Prepositions in Chinese carry inherent syntactic semantics and mark static locational relationships without specifying them. - The postpositions in circumpositions (e.g., "shang", "li", "zhong") denote specific spatial relations. - Example analysis: - In the sentence "我 与小五 在 床上 躺了 一会儿。" (I and Xiao Wu lay in bed for a while), "shang" specifies the surface relation. - "Zai" functions as a basic spatial marker, less critical than the postposition in conveying spatial meaning.

Semantic Motivations for Omission of Adpositions: - Omission of adpositions is notable in Chinese linguistics. - The study outlines how the omission of both prepositions and postpositions works under semantic rules. - Omission of Prepositions: - Prepositions may be omitted based on semantic context; e.g., "zai" can be omitted under certain structures when the meanings remain clear. - Omission Example: - "我 在 桥洞里" may become "我 桥洞里" (I (am) under the bridge) since the meaning is still clear. - Omission Scenario: When omitted, structural ambiguity can arise; thus, the role of prepositions is essential in such sentences. - Omission of Postpositions: - The semantic self-sufficiency of the noun may allow the omission of postpositions, as in "在 家 里" (at home) can also be expressed simply as "在 家" without losing meaning. - Examples of Semantic Conditions for Omission: - Structure legality when omitting components tests semantic sufficiency.

Conclusion: - Circumposition reveals significant aspects of Chinese grammar, allowing examination of adposition structures. - The semantic differences highlight how prepositions primarily serve as relational markers and how postpositions fulfill concrete spatial roles. - Understanding these distinctions enhances the theoretical framework for Chinese adpositions. - Omission is influenced by rules focusing on syntactic function and the intrinsic semantics of the surrounding words. - Further studies can refine insights into the unique typological features of Chinese adpositions.