中国英语学习者反身代词习得中的迁移作用

Preliminary study on transfer effects in the acquisition of English reflexives

本研究以Schachter ( 1 983)的迁移理论为基础 ,探究中国英语学习者能否利用汉语反身代词和英语反身代词的相同约束特征来促进该习得过程。结果表明 ,中国英语学习者在对英语反身代词的约束特征构建假设时 ,极有可能依赖汉语反身代词的约束特征 ;母语迁移见于中国英语学习者习得英语反身代词的整个过程 ,并且这种迁移既有正迁移的一面 ,也有负迁移的一面。同时 ,这一习得过程不排除受普遍语法牵引的可能。

The study examines the transfer effects of L1 in the acquisition of English reflexives with reference to Chinese English learners. Particularly this study investigates how Chinese English learners utilize knowledge of the binding properties of Chinese reflexive ziji and taziji as a basis for the acquisition of target binding properties. The present study adopts the cognitive view on transfer (Schachter 1983), which conceptualizes transfer as a learning strategy in a general process of hypothesis construction and testing. The findings of the present study suggest that Chinese English learners could resort to L1 knowledge to form hypotheses about the target binding properties. L1 transfer is likely to exist in the whole acquisition process of English reflexives and it can produce both positive and negative effects. It seems that both L1 knowledge and UG constrain the acquisition process.