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Abstract

This research, based on Dynamic Categorization Theory, investigates the diachronic semantic evolution of the Chinese verb , emphasizing the influence of metaphor and metonymy in expanding categories and restructuring semantics. The study identifies three key stages: (1) initial conservative changes within the same category, originating from embodied hand-action semantics through metonymy; (2) conservative transitions across neighboring or similar categories, facilitated by the contact–connection schema that allows metaphorical expansion from physical touch to conceptual domains like relationships and information exchange; (3) decategorization, where certain constructions transition from verbs to nouns or grammatical elements, diminishing typical action-related characteristics. The evolution of progresses from concrete actions to abstract relational and structural-functional meanings, illustrating the interplay between metaphor and metonymy in the process of grammaticalization. This case serves as a noteworthy example of semantic transformation in verbs and constructionalization.

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/content/journals/10.1075/rcl.00253.zen
2026-03-05
2026-04-21
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: 接 jiē ; metonymy ; semantic evolution ; metaphor ; dynamic categorization
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