漢語動詞「生」的語意發展

The Semantic Development of the Chinese Verb “Sheng”

本文從「以人體為本」和SUMO 知識本體架構，歸結出動詞「生1」（亦即人類傳宗接代）始於人類自身的經驗行為，從語意核心開始呈現「幅射結構」的發展分作三條路徑：藉著隱喻機制映射到動物、植物、事態或事件的出現，「生1」的語意逐步泛化為「生2」（植物的出生、事態的發生）。再從「生1」的生殖模式，引申為「活著」即「生3」；人類的生殖模式從熟悉的母體到外在世界，可以表示對於事件的主體（人、事、物）呈現不了解、不熟悉的程度即「生4」。

This article analyzes the Chinese verb “sheng” by using the concept of embodied cognition, and utilizing the SUMO ontology framework. The results show that the semantic core of sheng, the verb sheng 1, refers to human reproduction and therefore originates from human behavior. From this core the word developed in three main directions. Sheng 2 developed through metaphorical generalization to refer to the birth of animals or plants, or the beginning of an event. Sheng 3 developed the meaning “to be alive” through sheng 1's meaning of reproduction. Finally, sheng 4, which expresses a person or thing's lack of understanding of or unfamiliarity with another person, place or situation, developed from the concept of leaving a mother's womb and entering an unfamiliar world.