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Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 2025, 8(11); doi: 10.25236/AJHSS.2025.081117.

A Contrastive Analysis of Chinese-Uyghur Spatial Relation Constructions from a Typological Perspective

Author(s)

Li Yong

Corresponding Author:
Li Yong
Affiliation(s)

Editorial Office of "Language and Translation", Journal Press of Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China

Abstract

Based on the theories of linguistic typology and cognitive linguistics, this paper compares the typological differences between Chinese and Uyghur in the expression of spatial relations. Using Talmy's lexicalization patterns and the Figure-Ground Theory as analytical tools, it examines the encoding mechanisms and syntactic strategies of the two languages from the dimensions of static location and dynamic motion. In terms of static location, Chinese flexibly adjusts the salience order of "Figure-Ground" through word order, while Uyghur highlights the spatial relation itself via morphological encapsulation. In dynamic motion, Chinese presents sequentially scanned paths through "linear serial clauses," whereas Uyghur achieves the overall packaging of paths with "case marker chains + core verbs," resulting in a compact structure. The study finds that these differences stem from the opposition in grammatical types: Chinese constructs spatial semantics through modular lexical combinations, while Uyghur encapsulates spatial information via morphological markers. Such differences not only affect the representation of physical space but also map onto the domain of abstract cognition. This research provides theoretical and practical references for Chinese-Uyghur contrastive studies, bilingual teaching, and cross-cultural communication.

Keywords

Chinese; Uyghur; Spatial Relations; Constructions

Cite This Paper

Li Yong. A Contrastive Analysis of Chinese-Uyghur Spatial Relation Constructions from a Typological Perspective. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2025), Vol. 8, Issue 11: 101-109. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2025.081117.

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