A new approach to the study on counterexamples of generic sentences: From the perspective of interactive reference point-target relationship and re-categorization model

Authors

  • Yunfei Liu School of Foreign Languages, China Three Gorges University
  • Yiting Yu School of Foreign Languages, China Three Gorges University
  • Siyu Chen School of Foreign Languages, China Three Gorges University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18063/fls.v4i1.1454

Keywords:

interactive reference point-target relationship and re-categorization model, generic sentence, counterexample-tolerating

Abstract

Based on deficiencies of existing researches, this paper, aiming at taking the tolerance of counterexamples reflecting seeming syntax-semantic mismatch in generic sentences, and the online cognitive process of these sentences into the same analyzing framework, proposes the Interactive Reference Point-target Relationship and Re-categorization Model (IRPR-RC Model) to give a unified explanation to the main types of counterexample-tolerating generic sentences (GS), thus further fulfilling the generalization commitment of cognitive linguistics. According to this model: 1) there is an interaction relationship between reference points and targets connecting generic words and attribute words in counterexample-tolerating generic sentences (GS); 2) this interactive relationship provides the premise for re-categorization, which selects a particular sub-category and makes it salient. This process can also be viewed as a phenomenon of attribute words coercing the generic words; 3) the model can be divided into three types: Focusing Type, Imbedding Type and Repulsing Type, according to different operation mechanism of IRPR-RC Model in counterexample-tolerating generic sentences (GS).

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Published

2022-08-12

Issue

Vol 4, No 1: (Published)

Section

Original Articles

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