高中英语写作中定冠词THE的共选特征研究

A study of the co-selection features of the in highschool EFL writing

本文以共选说为理论框架,以英语本族语学生写作语料为参照,考察中国高中生英语写作中定冠词THE的使用特征及其影响因素。数据表明:与英语本族语学生相比,中国高中生作文中定冠词THE主要使用在前置限制、修饰结构中,以THE+N类型为主,但在意义和功能上的误用倾向比较明显。分析表明:1)本族语学生作文中,英语定冠词倾向于与特定的语法范畴共现构成多种类联接,用于表达特定的意义或功能,体现了形式、意义和功能的共选;2)中国高中生懂得定冠词与某些特定语法范畴共现,但是缺乏相应的意义和功能知识;3)中国学习者的定冠词共选特征与其频繁接触THE+N/NP等形式、汉语中缺乏相应的冠词系统以及显性语法教学等因素有密切关联。上述发现对进一步丰富英语冠词研究、促进基础教育阶段的英语功能词教学有一定启示意义。

The present study aims to examine Chinese high-school EFL learners’ use of definite article THE with reference to that used by native students in English writing. The data shows that, compared with native students, Chinese learners primarily use THE in pre-modification structures, particularly in THE+N, and have a strong tendency to misuse the meaning and function. Further analysis suggests that, in native students’ English writing, THE tends to co-occur with specific grammatical structures to form certain colligations, expressing particular meanings and functions, which mirrors the co-selection of form, meaning and function. Despite their knowledge of the co-occurrence of THE and corresponding grammatical categories, Chinese high-school learners fail to gain adequate knowledge of their meanings or/and functions. This phenomenon is closely associated with their frequent exposure to THE+N/NP structure, the absence of congruent articles in L1 Chinese, and the practice of explicit grammar teaching. The above findings have some theoretical implications for further research on English articles and some pedagogical implications for improving grammar teaching for beginner learners of English.