Document Type

Research Paper

Publication Date

Spring 2018

Keywords

Lao, lexical meaning, grammaticalization, free, bound, affixation, Tang, Ming, modern, Chinese

Abstract

This paper looks at the change in usage of the Chinese character lao (老) in vernacular literature of the Tang, Ming, and Xiandai (modern) periods. It is mainly a quantitative study of the change in lexical meaning of lao due to its grammaticalization as well as its morphological change from a free to bound morpheme. These changes will be studied in relation to lao’s affixation.

Comments

This paper was nominated for the Libraries Undergraduate Research Award by Dr. Janet Xing, faculty in Western Washington University’s Department of Linguistics.

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Chinese characters--History; Chinese language--Writing--History; Lexicology

Genre/Form

term papers

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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