Adnominal Constructions in Modern Chinese and their Distribution Properties

Relations between noun modifiers or adnonimals and their head nouns, along with their distribution features, differentiate the stylistic features among languages, and distinguish text genres in a given language. Following a systematic and comprehensive description of adnominal constructions in modern Chinese, this paper explores their rank-frequency distribution properties against three models: the original Zipf’s law, the Zipf-Alekseev law and the Popescu-Altmann-Köhler (PAK) function, with acceptable result for the first and good results for the latter two. The PAK function as a function for stratified texts works well. The research findings validate the categorization in the paper and further prove that adnominals in modern Chinese are normal language units.

[1]  Thomas P. Mackey,et al.  Reframing Information Literacy as a Metaliteracy , 2011, Coll. Res. Libr..

[2]  H. C. Williams,et al.  Symmetries of culture , 1990, The Mathematical Gazette.

[3]  A. Busemann.  Die Sprache der Jugend : als Ausdruck der Entwicklungsrhythmik , 1925 .

[4]  R. Skeates.  Neolithic Stamps: Cultural Patterns, Processes and Potencies , 2007, Cambridge Archaeological Journal.

[5]  Peter Grzybek,et al.  History and Methodology of Word Length Studies , 2007 .

[6]  Embodiment and visual reproduction in the Neolithic: the case of stamped symbols , 2008 .

[7]  Tomi S. Melka.  Linearity, Calligraphy and Syntax in the Rongorongo Script , 2009 .

[8]  FrankSalomon.  How an Andean “Writing Without Words” Works1 , 2001 .

[9]  Reinhard Köhler,et al.  Zur linguistischen Synergetik : Struktur und Dynamik der Lexik , 1986 .

[10]  W. Wyatt,,et al.  The Ceiling of the Hephaisteion , 1984, American Journal of Archaeology.

[11]  Gabriel Altmann,et al.  Unified derivation of some linguistic laws , 2005 .

[12]  E. Nordenskiöld,et al.  Picture-Writings And Other Documents By Néle, Charles Slater, Charlie Nelson And Other Cuna Indians , 2022 .

[13]  E. Boone.  Introduction: Writing and Recording Knowledge , 2012, Writing Without Words.

[14]  F. M. Padrón.  Canarias : crónicas de su conquista , 1993 .

[15]  M. N. Vidya,et al.  Word length distribution in Indian languages , 2006, Glottometrics.

[16]  Ioan-Iovitz Popescu,et al.  Word Frequency Studies , 2009 .

[17]  Angel Garrido.  Symmetry and Asymmetry Level Measures , 2010, Symmetry.

[18]  K. Lillios.  Heraldry for the Dead , 2008 .

[19]  Gabriel Altmann,et al.  Modelling the Distribution of Word Length: Some Methodological Problems , 1993 .

[20]  E. Pulgram,et al.  Writing without letters , 1976 .

[21]  E. Seneta,et al.  Studies in the History of Probability and Statistics. XXXI. The simple branching process, a turning point test and a fundamental inequality: A historical note on I. J. Bienaymé , 1972 .