复杂系统理论框架下中国大学生英语口语模糊限制语块使用研究

A study of hedge sequences in Chinese EFL learners' oral English under the framework of Complex Systems Theory

模糊限制语块是英语本族语者有效的口语交际策略,却是中国英语学习者口语水平提高的瓶颈。本研究以本族语者语料库MICASE为参照语料库,探讨中国英语专业学习者口语语料中的模糊限制语块使用情况,发现学习者使用的模糊语块数量有限、类型单一。研究运用复杂系统理论,通过定量定性分析指出,社会性别因素未对模糊限制语块使用产生显著影响,口语水平制约模糊限制语块使用,语块的语义透明度对低水平学习者的模糊限制语块加工起阻碍作用。本研究结果对英语口语教学和教材编写具有一定启示意义。

Hedge sequence, a special type of formulaic sequence, serves as an effective strategy for oral communica- tion among native English speakers, but is a bottleneck in oral proficiency improvement for Chinese EFL learners. This study focuses on the hedge sequence use of English majors in Spoken English Corpus of Chinese Learners, with MICASE as a reference corpus. It shows that Chinese EFL learners in general employ hedge sequences less frequently and widely than native speakers. Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis within the framework of Complex Systems Theory, the study reveals that social gender doesn＇t exert significant effects on Chinese EFL learners＇ use of hedge sequences, oral proficiency produces significant effects on the overall use of hedge sequences, and semantic transparency may hinder low proficiency learners in processing hedge sequences. The study results provide certain implications for oral English teaching and textbook compilation.