1st Edition

Asymmetry and Markedness Theory II Form and Meaning

By Shen Jiaxuan Copyright 2026
354 Pages 27 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

354 Pages 27 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This second volume examines asymmetry in language by focusing on how linguistic form and meaning align or diverge. Building on the concepts introduced in Volume 1, this volume analyzes symmetry and asymmetry in form-meaning relations using examples from antonym pairs, subject-object contrasts, and the markedness patterns of adjectives. It integrates several linguistic levels, emphasizing how... Read more

1. Markedness Patterns of Antonyms  2. Asymmetry between Subject and Object  3. The Markedness Pattern of Word Classes and Syntactic Constituents  4. The Syntactic Functions of Chinese Adjectives  5. Symmetry and Asymmetry between Form and Meaning

Biography

Shen Jiaxuan is Professor of Linguistics at the Institute of Linguistics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. His main research interests include Chinese grammar, English–Chinese comparative grammar, and general linguistic theory. His recent publications with Routledge include Nouns and Verbs in Chinese I: Facts and Theories and Nouns and Verbs in Chinese II: Consequences and Prospects.