关键词: 方位构式, 焦点—背景, 转换性

Abstract: The “focusbackground” of the Chinese orientation constructions “X is on Y ”is not only dissociative, but also transformational . Although the word “on” can express a variety of spatial relations, in these relations, only to the relation of upward contact and the disjointness may allow the “X is on Y” to translate into “Y is under X”. Between the two relationships, if the focus “X” expresses the thing capable of active movement, the focus “X” and background “Y” cannot switch into each other; if the focus “X” expresses the thing incapable of active movement, the switch will accord with the size of “X” and “Y”. This shows that the transition of “X is on Y” into “Y is under X” depends on active movement, and the size of the shape is secondary.

Key words: orientation construction, focusbackground, transition