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Zhuan lei yan jiu = A study of Anthimeria : functional shift of using one part of speech for another
Other titles
转类研究
Author
Yeo, Jeslin Hwee Gek
Supervisor
Lim, Buan Chay
Abstract
This honours thesis attempts to carry out an indepth study of "anthimeria" (转类) , which is the historical shift of using one part of speech for another in the Chinese language, by investigating the different types of anthimeria, the rhetorical effects (修辞效果) of anthimeria, the acceptance level of language users towards this rhetorical device, as well as its limitations and weaknesses. The following findings are obtained from the course of research:
Based on the available resources, it is shown that anthimeria is either neglected or rejected by many Chinese language theorists. They often choose to use grammatical perspective to view this phenomenon of the functional shift of using one part of speech for another.
According to the examples found in modern poetry, lyrics of pop songs, magazines and newspapers, different types of anthimeria include shifting of noun to verb, shifting of adjective to verb, shifting of adjective to noun and shifting of verb to noun or adjective. Besides, there is another anthimeria type which involves a shift of noun to adjective. It is currently the most frequently used, as well as the most favoured one. The use of anthimeria allows the written expression to be more extraordinary, vivid and figurative. This helps to draw the attention of the language users to the text.
However, the findings of the survey have shown that anthimeria is not widely accepted at the present moment. Although more than half of the Chinese trainee teachers in National Institute of Education agree to and give recognition to this rhetorical device, about 70% of the Chinese teachers actually show their disapproval towards those expressions that include the usage with anthimeria in the survey. Age and rhetorical knowledge of the teachers are basically important factors that determine the outcome of this survey.
Therefore, the background of the language users depicts a form of restriction for the use of anthimeria. Apart from this, the contexts of an utterance also act as another form of limitation. Writers who favour anthimeria should be aware of this information so as to ensure an effective use of this rhetorical device.
In conclusion, although anthimeria might not be widely accepted by the language users presently, its contributions towards rhetoric should never be neglected or overlooked.
Based on the available resources, it is shown that anthimeria is either neglected or rejected by many Chinese language theorists. They often choose to use grammatical perspective to view this phenomenon of the functional shift of using one part of speech for another.
According to the examples found in modern poetry, lyrics of pop songs, magazines and newspapers, different types of anthimeria include shifting of noun to verb, shifting of adjective to verb, shifting of adjective to noun and shifting of verb to noun or adjective. Besides, there is another anthimeria type which involves a shift of noun to adjective. It is currently the most frequently used, as well as the most favoured one. The use of anthimeria allows the written expression to be more extraordinary, vivid and figurative. This helps to draw the attention of the language users to the text.
However, the findings of the survey have shown that anthimeria is not widely accepted at the present moment. Although more than half of the Chinese trainee teachers in National Institute of Education agree to and give recognition to this rhetorical device, about 70% of the Chinese teachers actually show their disapproval towards those expressions that include the usage with anthimeria in the survey. Age and rhetorical knowledge of the teachers are basically important factors that determine the outcome of this survey.
Therefore, the background of the language users depicts a form of restriction for the use of anthimeria. Apart from this, the contexts of an utterance also act as another form of limitation. Writers who favour anthimeria should be aware of this information so as to ensure an effective use of this rhetorical device.
In conclusion, although anthimeria might not be widely accepted by the language users presently, its contributions towards rhetoric should never be neglected or overlooked.
Date Issued
2005
Call Number
PL1271 Y46
Date Submitted
2005