大学生英语论文写作的言据性研究

A Study of Evidentiality in English Theses by Chinese University Students

言据性是作者对所述命题信息的来源及其可靠程度的语言编码。通过对大学生英语论文中言语证据(言据性)手段使用的考察后发现:论文得分与言语证据、感官证据等手段的使用存在显著性正相关;与信念手段的使用也显著相关,但方向为负;与演绎手段的使用呈弱相关。大学生在论文中言语证据手段使用的差异既体现在使用的频率上,又表现在使用的质量上,而且具有中介语特征。在英语论文写作教学过程中,教师应有意识地引导学生在实践中学会规范、合理、有效地使用各类言语证据手段。

Evidentiality is a linguistic coding of the sources of information stated and the attitude towards the information. Based on a survey of the evidentiality marks used by Chinese university students in their English theses, the study uncovers different types of correlations between the evidentials used and the thesis quality： positive correlation for hearsay and evidence; negative correlation for belief; weak positive correlation for deduction. The different patterns of student usage are shown both in the frequency and quality of evidentials used. Hence an implication for English writing instruction in classroom is that teachers should guide students to adopt various evidentials reasonably and effectively.