中国英语学习者常规隐喻加工模式研究

The Processing of Conventional Metaphors by Chinese EFL Learners

本文通过两个实验探讨了中国英语学习者在语境中加工常规隐喻的时间进程。结果发现:中国英语学习者,无论水平高低,其加工常规隐喻的过程都遵循顺序通达模型,而不是不确定模型,即主要意义先通达,次要意义后通达。但高水平被试的意义通达过程不同于低水平被试,前者的通达过程是自动的,而后者的通达是受控的。实验结果可以通过基于用法的理论来解释。

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the time course of the processing of conventional metaphor by Chinese English learners. The results showed that 1）Chinese English learners＇ processing of conventional metaphor followed the Ordered Access Model, not the Underspecification Model. That is, the dominant meanings were accessed first; then followed the subordinate meanings. The experiments also found that the high proficiency learners＇ processing of metaphor was automatic while the low proficiency learners＇ processing was controlled. The findings could be explained in terms of the usage-based approach to language learning.