性别与口语水平对大学生英语口语中模糊限制语块使用的影响——一项基于中国学生英语口语语料库的实证研究

Effects of Gender and Spoken English Proficiency on Hedge Chunks Learning by Chinese EFL Learners——An Empirical Study Based on Spoken English Corpus of Chinese Learners( SECCL)

模糊限制语块是本族者英语口语体的重要语言特征,是一种有效的口语交际策略。基于中国学生英语口语语料库(SECCL),本文运用语料库工具和定量统计方法考察了性别差异和口语水平两个因素对模糊限制语块使用的影响,结果发现:无论男女还是口语水平的高低,熟练使用的模糊语块数量有限,类型单一;性别与口语水平对模糊语块的总体使用均有显著影响;但分类检验的结果显示,性别仅未对间接缓和型模糊限制语块产生显著影响;口语水平对缓和型模糊语块产生了显著的影响,对变动型模糊语块的影响不够显著。本文探讨了上述差异的原因及对口语教学和教材编写的启示。

Hedge chunks, a typical language feature of spoken English by native speakers, serves as an effective strategy for oral communication. Based on Spoken English Corpus of Chinese Learners （SECCL） , we attempt to explore the effects of gender differences and oral English levels on the use of hedge chunks by adopting AntConc3.2 and quantitative methods. The findings show that Chinese EFL learners use a narrow range of hedge chunks, irrespective of sex and spoken English proficiency. Both gender and oral proficiency have significant effects on the overall use of hedge chunks. However, test of different types of hedge chunks indicates that gender of learners produces no significant influence on the use of attribution shields alone. Spoken English proficiency is found to exercise a significant influence on shields, but not on approximators. This paper, finally, probes into the causes of the differences and their implications for oral English teaching and textbook writing.