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Dynamic categorization of the Chinese verb 接 jiē

A diachronic cognitive semantic study

 | Southwest University of Political Science and Law
 | Southwest University of Political Science and Law
Published online: 5 March 2026
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https://doi.org/10.1075/rcl.00253.zen
Abstract
This research, based on Dynamic Categorization Theory, investigates the diachronic semantic evolution of the Chinese verb 接 jiē, 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 接 jiē 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.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The dynamic categorization of lexical meaning
  • 3.Semantic analysis of the word 接 jiē
    • 3.1The semantic base of 接 jiē
    • 3.2The image schema of 接 jiē
    • 3.3The lexical sense structure of 接 jiē
  • 4.Methodology
    • 4.1Corpora
    • 4.2Data collect
  • 5.Conservative semantic shift within the category of 接 jiē
    • 5.1The prototypical meaning of 接 jiē
    • 5.2From physical assembly to functional connectivity: The semantic evolution of 接 jiē in “接 jiē + noun” constructions
  • 6.Interaction and crossover within adjacent or analogous categories
    • 6.1From physical support to assumption of responsibility: The semantic interaction and extension of 接 jiē in 接 jiē + noun constructions
    • 6.2From physical reception to information internalization: The semantic shift of 接 jiē in 接 jiē + noun structures
    • 6.3From spatial contact to temporal continuity: Semantic extension of 接 jiē in 接 jiē + abstract noun constructions
    • 6.4From bodily contact to institutional ritual: Semantic extension of 接 jiē in 接 jiē + noun constructions
    • 6.5From contact-tending to spatial adjacency: Semantic shift of 接 jiē in 接 jiē + Noun constructions
    • 6.6From spatial connection to biological fusion: Semantic integration of 接 jiē in technical constructions
  • 7.Decategorization
    • 7.1The decategorialization of 接 jiē into a noun
  • 8.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
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