Introduction
0.1Background
0.2 Research Purpose and Methodology
0.3 Research Significance
0.4 Structure of the Thesis
Chapter One Literature Review
1.1 Definitions of Modality
1.2 Types of Modality
1.3 Studies of English Modal Auxiliaries
1.3.1 Studies from Structural and Functional Linguistics
1.3.2 Studies from Cognitive Linguistics
1.4 Summary
Chapter Two Theoretical Foundation
2.1 Conceptual Blending Theory
2.1.1 Definitions of Conceptual Blending
2.1.2 Working Mechanisms of Conceptual Blending
2.2 Sweetser’s Theory of Three Domains
2.2.1 Definitions of Three Domains
2.2.2 Metaphorical RelationshipAmongThree Domains
2.3 Summary
Chapter Three Grammatical Meanings of the Past Tense of English Verbs
3.1 Four Types of the Grammatical Meanings of the Past Tense of English Verbs
3.1.1 Referring to Past Time
3.1.2 Referring to an Anterior Time in the Future
3.1.3 Indicating Hypothesis or Counterfactuality
3.1.4 Indicating a Tentative or Polite Attitude
3.2 Polysemy Model of the Past Tense of English Verbs
3.3 Summary
Chapter Four Meaning Construction of the Grammatical Meanings of the Past Tense Forms of English Basic Modal Auxiliaries
4.1 Conceptual Blending of CAN and the Past Tense
4.1.1 Conceptual Blending of CAN and the Past Tense inthe Socio-physical Domain
4.1.2 Conceptual Blending of CAN and the Past Tense in the Epistemic Domain
4.1.3 Conceptual Blending of CAN and the Past Tense in the Speech-act Domain
4.2 Conceptual Blending ofMAY and the Past Tense
4.2.1 Conceptual Blending of MAY and the Past Tense in the Socio-physical Domain
4.2.2 Conceptual Blending of MAY and the Past Tense in the Epistemic Domain
4.2.3 Conceptual Blending of MAY and the Past Tense in the Speech-act Domain
4.3 Conceptual Blending of SHALL and the Past Tense
4.3.1 Conceptual Blending of SHALL and the Past Tense in the Socio-physical Domain
4.3.2 Conceptual Blending of SHALL and the Past Tense in the Epistemic Domain
4.3.3 Conceptual Blending of SHALL and the Past Tense in the Speech-act Domain
4.4 ConceptualBlending of WILL and the Past Tense
4.4.1 Conceptual Blending of WILL and the Past Tense in the Socio-physical Domain
4.4.2 Conceptual Blending of WILL and the Past Tense in the Epistemic Domain
4.4.3 Conceptual Blending of WILL and the Past Tense in the Speech-act Domain
4.5 Conceptual Blending of MUST and the Past Tense
4.5.1 Conceptual Blending of MUST and the Past Tense in the Socio-physical Domain
4.5.2 Conceptual Blending of MUST and the Past Tense in the Epistemic Domain
4.5.3 Conceptual Blending of MUST and the Past Tense in the Speech-act Domain
4.6 Summary
Chapter Five Pragmatic Functions of the Past Tense Forms of English Basic Modal Auxiliaries
5.1 Explanations for the Pragmatic Functions of the Past Tense Forms of English Basic Modal Auxiliaries
5.2 Relationship Between the Various Pragmatic Functions of the Past Tense Forms of English BasicModal Auxiliaries
5.3 Summary
Conclusion
1. Work Done in This Thesis
2. Major Findings
3. Limitations and Suggestions for Further Research
参考文献
致谢
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