The Semantic Structure of Chinese Classifiers and Its Implications for Linguistic Relativity

Download or read book The Semantic Structure of Chinese Classifiers and Its Implications for Linguistic Relativity written by Song Jiang and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 638 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the pedagogical implications section, an argument is advanced favoring presentation of the conceptual structure of classifier categories in teaching Chinese as a second or foreign language. It is suggested that the introduction of a classifier in second language classrooms follow three steps: (a) reveal the central sense, the etymological meaning, of the classifier; (b) introduce each of the polysemic senses with a comprehensive list of nouns classified by the classifier; and (c) disclose the motivations behind the classifier category.