Qian-wen Cheng

I obtained my BA in English language and literature at Shanghai Ocean University, China in 2013. With the interests in how language, especially Chinese, works in human life, I chose to continue my research in the perspective of cognitive linguistics. In 2014, I completed my MA in Cognitive Linguistics with distinction at Bangor University, UK. Then, I decided to further my study in Cognitive approach to modern Chinese and started my PhD at Northumbria in 2015.

My previous research has interestingly revealed that modern linguistic theories need to be revised if they are claimed to be general enough to account for Chinese. My research interest lead me to develop a new cognitive event frame model on the bases of usage-based grammar and cognitive constructionist’s grammars to solve the remaining descriptive problems of Chinese ba-constructions.

Qualifications

MA Cognitive Linguistics, Bangor University, UK (with distinction)-2014
BA English Language and Linguistics, Shanghai Ocean University, China (1,2 equivalent) - 2013

Research project

Family of Chinese ba-constructions - a cognitive event frame approach

The Modern Chinese ba-construction is the topic has been attracting any schools of linguistic theories alike, due to its richness in meanings and complexity in structures. Although many studies have been attempted at it, problems remain. Some of them event put a big challenge to schools of linguistic theories.

In order to meet the challenge, I explore two well-published Chinese corpora. I have dug out all the exhaustive types of the Chinese ba-constructions extracted from the corpora. With my Cognitive Event Frames, all those types are adequately accounted for and are interestingly inter-related to form a family. The Cognitive Event Frames are also designed to represent the necessary and coherent background knowledge for understanding of Chinese ba-constructions.

Supervisors

Dr Ewa Dabrowska (Principal)
Dr Amanda Patten (Secondary)

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