词源信息对惯用语学习的影响

A Study of the Effect of Etymological Information on Idiom Memorization and Retention

以英语专业大学生为被试,检验了词源信息对惯用语记忆及保持力的影响。实验组(N=35)根据词源信息记忆惯用语,对照组(N=35)根据约定含义予以记忆。第一次试后测试检验学生对惯用语的记忆;第二次测试检验学生对惯用语的记忆保持力。方差分析检验结果实证了本文的两知词源信息更能有效地加深学生对惯用语的记忆,并呈现较长的记忆保持力。基于实验结果笔者认为:为了促进惯用语的长期记忆,熟知词源信息较机械学习更加可取。

This study investigates the effect of etymological information on idiom memorization and retention in Chinese college EFL learners. Subjects in one group （ N = 35） received instruction in the form of etymological familiarity while subjects in the comparison group （ N =35） were asked to memorize idioms on the basis of their given meaning. Subjects were then administered two post-tests： one to assess initial idiom gain, and another four weeks later to assess idiom retention. Statistical analyses produced sufficient support for the two hypotheses of this paper （compared to the rote learning condition, the students in etymological familiarity condition would gain more idioms and exhibit superior retention rates）. The finding of this study suggests that for the purpose of encouraging long-term memory of idioms, etymological familiarity is preferable to rote memorization.