外语概念的形成和外语思维

Conceptual Development and Thinking in a Second Language

有没有可能或要不要在外语教学中提倡外语思维是一个有争论的问题。从心理学的角度看,绝大多数的思维活动以概念为基本单位,所以,外语思维就是以外语所特有的概念系统来进行认知活动。因此,要回答能不能用外语思维的问题,就首先要回答在外语学习中能不能形成一套外语概念系统这个问题。本文概括介绍了作者最近进行的几项研究的结果。这些结果表明,在成人第二语言学习中,要形成外语的概念是一个长期、困难的过程。许多外语水平相当不错的中国学生其与外语相联结的概念系统仍然是汉语的概念系统。

Whether an adult second language learner is able to think in a second language has been a controversial issue. Since concepts are the basic units in the cognitive process, the question can be examined by exploring whether adult second language learners are able to develop new, L2-specific concepts while learning a second language. The paper summarizes the findings of some recent studies conducted by the present author. The findings suggest that conceptual development is a slow and long process and that even highly proficient second language speakers may continue to rely on their L1 concepts in L2 use.