Abstract

Info

Title:: A Comparative Study on the Resultative Construction of Modal Negative and “bu”-style Negative

Keywords:: modal negative construction; “bu”-style negative construction; conceptual blending; semantic features

Abstract:: The modal negative construction means “being impossible” while the“bu”-style negative construction “being possible but unwilling to do”. These two constructions, though both motivated by conceptual blending, are different in how they are blended into being: the former is a haplology of two adjoining events; but the later is the blending of buX construction(indicating unaccomplished negative)and VC construction(bearing a causative meaning). The modal negative construction means causative action and speaker’s expectation. The“bu”-style negative construction expresses the causer’s will upon change as well as his control over change.