This paper adopts a frame-based analysis on the issue of the typology of Chinese causative verbs 使（shǐ）and 让 (ràng) (shǐ and ràng, afterwards) which puts challenges to several well-established cognitive approaches including force dynamic models and direct/indirect causation theory. In a frame-based analysis, these two polysemous verbs are distributed into different frames according to the pattern of force interaction denoted by the verbs. Therefore, this analysis successfully solves the obscure boundary problem raised by the polysemous property of shǐ and ràng. This study introduces a new way to study verbal semantics and semantic-syntactic interface. Especially, it points out a new direction to studying polysemous words.

• Yanlu Zhang(Kyungpook National University)
• Sungchool Im(Kyungpook National University)