中文摘要：本文以认知语言学为理论基础，通过原型理论、范畴理论、隐喻、意象图式等语义认知手段对一词多义现象进行剖析，试图对商务英语中一词多义现象的发展趋势进行总结。同时，本文探讨了一词多义现象产生的原因，从社会、心理、人类认知能力等外部因素以及使用范围的转移、专业词汇与普通词汇的转化、语言的省略、修辞的使用、单复数形式的差异等内部角度进行分析。为帮助二语习得者更好地处理商务情境中的一词多义现象，本文也给出了理论应用方向及应对方法。

关键词：一词多义；词义延伸；原型理论；意象图式

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction.1

1.1 Background of the Research.1

1.2 Questions and Objectives of the Research.2

  1.3 Outline of the Thesis2

2. Literature Review.4

3. Theoretical Framework6

3.1 An Introduction to Cognitive Linguistics6

3.2 Related Terms in Cognitive Linguistics6

  3.2.1 Prototype Theory7

  3.2.2 Metaphor in Cognitive Linguistics.8

  3.2.3 Image Schema9

4. Trends and Roots of Polysemy 11

4.1 External Reasons of Polysemy11

4.1.1 Social Factor11

4.1.2 Mental Factor.11

4.1.3 People’s Cognitive Ability.11

4.2 Internal Causes of Polysemy12

  4.2.1 Shift in Application.12

  4.2.2 Transformation between Specialized and General Vocabulary.12

  4.2.3 Ellipsis in Language Use.13

  4.2.4 The Use of Rhetoric.13

  4.2.5 Different Meanings of Nouns in Singular and Plural Form13

4.3 Trends of Polysemy14

5. Theoretical Direction .15

5.1 Guiding Significance On Teaching Practice15

5.2 Suggestions on Business Vocabulary Learning.17

  5.2.1 Use Association Memorizing Method and Cognitive Approaches to Broaden the Width and Depth of Vocabulary17

  5.2.2 Use Contextual Analysis to Better Comprehend Word Meanings.18

  5.2.3 Follow Cultural Difference Principle.19

5.2.4 Keep Common Use and Collocations in Mind.19

6. Conclusion.20

6.1 Major Findings20

6.2 Conclusion.20

References21