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The Semantic and Cognitive Research of Modern Chinese 'juan(卷)'

  • The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China
  • Abbr : JSLCKC
  • 2024, (74), pp.141-159
  • DOI : 10.16874/jslckc.2024..74.006
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Study on Chinese Languge and Culture
  • Research Area : Humanities > Chinese Language and Literature
  • Received : October 10, 2024
  • Accepted : November 20, 2024
  • Published : November 30, 2024

Yan Huijuan 1

1한국외대 중국어교육과

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This article starts from the perspective of cognitive linguistics, combining the theory of conceptual integration and the theory of metaphorical mapping, to conduct a cognitive analysis of the popular phrase 'juan(卷)' in modern Chinese. The original meaning of 'juan(卷)' is 'to kneel', which is commonly used as a verb in ancient Chinese. Its basic meaning is 'to bend something into a cylindrical shape'. The use of the character 'juan(卷)' as a measure word emerged during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. The word 'juan(卷)' in modern Chinese has been influenced by the popular internet slang 'neijuan(内卷)', and its semantics have also undergone changes. The concept of 'neijuan(内卷)' has evolved from a professional term to a popular internet slang, and the integration process of the concept has formed a dual domain network, forming a new semantic framework of 'irrational internal competition'. When the semantics of 'neijuan(内卷)' are prominent and mature enough, people have integrated it through metaphorical cognitive mechanisms, and the modern Chinese word 'juan(卷)' has also generated a new meaning of "fierce competition" when used alone.

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