Author: Poon, Wan Man Ada
Title: A lexical semantic analysis of Chinese emotion words in the four gospels of the Chinese Union Version Bible : exploring the relationship between God, Jesus, and the Spirit through emotion words using a corpus linguistics approach
Advisors: Hsu, Yu-yin (CBS)
Huang, Chu-ren (CBS)
Degree: DALS
Year: 2024
Subject: Discourse analysis
Bible. New Testament -- Language, style
Language and emotions
Corpora (Linguistics)
Bible. Chinese. He he ben
Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations
Department: Faculty of Humanities
Pages: 708 pages : color illustrations
Language: English
Abstract: This thesis is a corpus linguistics study that investigates the usage of emotion words in the Chinese Union Version (CUV) Bible, with a focus on the Four Gospels. The research utilizes two research methods: an online survey to build an emotion word dataset for the Four Gospels, and a qualitative and quantitative analysis of emotion words from the dataset.
The research aims to identify specific emotion words used in the Four Gospels in relation to appearances of the Trinity, examine how these words convey emotional responses towards the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit through lexical-semantic analyses, and explore the correlation between emotion words and triggering events in the Gospels.
First, an online rating for the selected emotion words was conducted to investigate how individuals rate the valence and arousal of emotion words. This survey provides insights into the relationship between emotion words and their perceived emotional dimensions, allowing for a better understanding of how people interpret and evaluate these words.
Based on the rating results, significant emotion words were selected from those rated highest in valence and arousal for further analysis. These selected words were then examined using the cause event theory and emotion event model. This analytical approach helps uncover the intricate relationship between the chosen emotion words, biblical events, and the Trinity.
The findings reveal that while lay people consistently rate emotion words based on valence and arousal, a deeper exploration informed by the cause event theory and emotion event model uncovers a more complex relationship between emotion words and associated events.
Contrary to initial expectations, the study discovers instances where positive emotion words are not exclusively tied to positive events or outcomes, and negative emotion words do not always stem from negative events or lead to negative consequences. These findings underscore the importance of textual analysis in comprehending the intricate connections between emotion words and the events they describe.
By employing the Cause Event Theory and Emotion Event Model analysis, this research enhances our understanding of how emotions interact with the textual contexts in which they appear. It emphasizes the significance of examining underlying events and circumstances to accurately interpret the emotional connotations conveyed through language.
Furthermore, the study explores the profound relationship between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the Four Gospels. It portrays God and Jesus as sharing a unified identity, with the Holy Spirit acting as a guardian during Jesus' departure from the world.
This research hope to contribute a deeper understanding of emotion expression in religious contexts by examining emotion words within the CUV Bible. The insights gained also have implications for the development of sentiment analysis tools and applications in Chinese, considering the dimensions of valence and arousal. Additionally, this study hopes to provide a useful framework for further biblical studies, highlighting the emotional dimensions in the Bible and enriching the reading experience for people who are interested in Bible study, particularly in the Chinese Union Version Bible.
Rights: All rights reserved
Access: restricted access

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/13599