This paper presents the Comparative study of Korean rotation verbs and Chinese rotation verbs aims to explore the method of Lexical semantic Typology. The research method is based on the research projects of Rotation verbs of the Moscow Lexical Typology Group.
First part mainly deals with the theory of the Moscow lexical typology, the research projects of Rotation verbs of the Moscow Lexical Typology.
Second part analyzed semantic domain of Rotation verbs in Korean and Chinese. Moscow lexical typology group found the three basic semantic frame in Rotation domain, that is outer axis, inner axis, contact with the ground. Korean ‘dol-(hoe-jeon-)’ presents a inner axis and outer axis frame, ‘gu-leu-’ presents contact with the ground frame. Chinese ‘rao’ prensents outer axis frame, ‘zhuan’ presents inner axis as well as outer axis, ‘gun’ presents contact with the ground frame.
Third part analyzed the derivation meaning of Rotation verbs in Korean and Chinese. Outer axis and inner axis frame of both languages commonly represent normal operations and changes in physical and mental states. Contact with the ground frame in Korean represents normal operation and aimless existence, while Chinese contact with the ground frame represents physical empirical growth and a shift from being to being lost.