Discourse markers have been studied within the relevance theoretical framework in this paper. According to relevance theory, every act of ostensive communication communicates a presumption of its own optimal relevance...Discourse markers have been studied within the relevance theoretical framework in this paper. According to relevance theory, every act of ostensive communication communicates a presumption of its own optimal relevance. The communicator, who is aiming at optimal relevance, must direct the audience to a particular set of assumptions by using discourse markers. Whereas, from the audience's point of view, discourse markers can minimize his contextual assumptions in looking for relevance, thus the pragmatic inferential process will be much easier.展开更多
Cognitive linguistics has gained more and more attention over the years since it provides new horizon to understand language in relation to human experience. At present, it is of prevalence to study education from the...Cognitive linguistics has gained more and more attention over the years since it provides new horizon to understand language in relation to human experience. At present, it is of prevalence to study education from the linguistic perspective. This paper tends to center on education discourses, both written texts and educational practices, and understand their underlying cognitive or cultural models by resorting to the metaphorical theory in cognitive linguistics.展开更多
Recently the so called "China Threat" theory frequently appears in some western publications. Since in the eyes of many American scholars and columnists, China will become a huge threat to the western world. In this...Recently the so called "China Threat" theory frequently appears in some western publications. Since in the eyes of many American scholars and columnists, China will become a huge threat to the western world. In this paper, firstly the author will use Fairclough and Foucault's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) theories to explain how this editorial was produced, distributed and consumed. Then in order to understand what effect the editorial might achieve, the author will make an analysis on its claim, ground, warrant and backing according to Toulmin's methods and procedures of argumentation. In the end of this thesis, the author would say that among these new changes and uncertainties, China is in need of position itself properly.展开更多
This paper studies the address term translation from the cognitive perspective. Concerning the difficulties in rendering the cultural connotations in address terms, the author introduces experiential view and culture ...This paper studies the address term translation from the cognitive perspective. Concerning the difficulties in rendering the cultural connotations in address terms, the author introduces experiential view and culture model as the guidelines to solve the problems. The results show the significance of bridging the cultural gap in address term translation.展开更多
The effects of a task-based learning (TBL) approach on learner progress in L2 public speaking are investigated through questionnaires, a case study, and student evaluations. The 34 completed questionnaires showed th...The effects of a task-based learning (TBL) approach on learner progress in L2 public speaking are investigated through questionnaires, a case study, and student evaluations. The 34 completed questionnaires showed that all of the students made generic preparations for their first individual speech, but relevant and unique improvements for the second one. Speeches given in English by two Chinese undergraduate students in the same Public Speaking course were analyzed in detail to identify phonological improvements in accuracy and fluenc~ The paper concludes that task-based instruction supports learner-initiated learning opportunities outside the classroom, thus encouraging greater learner improvements.展开更多
This essay explores key issues and developments in the growth of English public speaking as a course in Chinese higher education. Growing initially out of interest generated by national speech competitions, English pu...This essay explores key issues and developments in the growth of English public speaking as a course in Chinese higher education. Growing initially out of interest generated by national speech competitions, English public speaking has become a sought-after subject because of its value in today's globalized world. Focusing on English as a working language, it strengthens core skills and competencies not just in oral communication, but also in writing, listening, critical thinking, intercultural communicative competence, and overall English proficiency. Grounded in the Western discipline of rhetoric, it is being localized in China through creative adaptation by teachers and students alike.展开更多
This research explores the studies published in English from 2004 to 2013 on the Public Speaking (PS) course to provide a preliminary framework of the research paradigm and identify its major themes and sub-themes i...This research explores the studies published in English from 2004 to 2013 on the Public Speaking (PS) course to provide a preliminary framework of the research paradigm and identify its major themes and sub-themes in this field. A maiority of the studies were from the communication literature, with the remaining studies coming from the disciplines of linguistics, education and psychology, which indicates research on PS is multidisciplinary. In the literature, the years 2004 and 2005 saw a peak of studies from native-speaking countries while the years 2011 and 2012 began to see an increase of the research from non-native speaking countries. Nearly half of the studies fell into the non-empirical category. With the method of content analysis and based on the research agenda in the public speaking proposed by Lucas (2011), seven themes were identified, including public speaking anxiety, goals of the public speaking course and pedagogical strategies, pedagogical content, course assessment, technology and integrative methods as pedagogy, PS textbooks, and adaptation of the course to non-native speakers. It is hoped that the findings here can contribute to refining research on PS course in China and providing insights for Chinese practitioners.展开更多
The current study applied classic communication models to investigating 34 laureate impromptu speeches at the 2010 and 2011 "FLTRP (Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press) Cup" English Speaking Contest, one ...The current study applied classic communication models to investigating 34 laureate impromptu speeches at the 2010 and 2011 "FLTRP (Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press) Cup" English Speaking Contest, one of the most influential of its kind in China, to identify the features of public speaking skills of Advanced Chinese EFL learners. The speech scripts and video excerpts from the subsequent manuscript collection with the CD-Rom published by FLTRP were studied. Lucas' framework of speech communication process was borrowed to bridge elements of the communication models and speech delivery process. Three key aspects of the speakers' encoding endeavors were under close examination: the verbal preferences, the non-verbal preferences, and the topic selection for exemplification. It was found that successful speakers demonstrated a clear and strong audience orientation. They chose more first person pronouns, fewer abstract words, a controlled number of dependent clauses, clear transition words, and limited figures of speech. They used very few verbal fillers, slips of tongue, a moderate speech rate and varied tone inflections. The speakers also showed distinctive features in gestures, eye contact and facial expressions. They employed anecdotes which shared a common field of experience. Pedagogical implications on the teaching of public speaking were discussed.展开更多
Well known to students of rhetoric,classics,and the history of education,Quintilian’s Institutes of Oratory also merits the attention of EFL teachers and scholars who deal with public speaking and written composition...Well known to students of rhetoric,classics,and the history of education,Quintilian’s Institutes of Oratory also merits the attention of EFL teachers and scholars who deal with public speaking and written composition.Although created in ancient Rome 2,000 years ago,the Institutes is replete with insights that are as applicable today as in Quintilian’s time.After providing historical background on Quintilian and his masterwork,this article examines his comprehensive program of speech education,his explication of the symbiotic relationship between speech and writing,and his notion of the good person speaking(and writing)well as the ideal of ethical communication.In the process,it touches upon numerous issues germane to English language educators in China and to EFL teaching and research in general.展开更多
文摘Discourse markers have been studied within the relevance theoretical framework in this paper. According to relevance theory, every act of ostensive communication communicates a presumption of its own optimal relevance. The communicator, who is aiming at optimal relevance, must direct the audience to a particular set of assumptions by using discourse markers. Whereas, from the audience's point of view, discourse markers can minimize his contextual assumptions in looking for relevance, thus the pragmatic inferential process will be much easier.
文摘Cognitive linguistics has gained more and more attention over the years since it provides new horizon to understand language in relation to human experience. At present, it is of prevalence to study education from the linguistic perspective. This paper tends to center on education discourses, both written texts and educational practices, and understand their underlying cognitive or cultural models by resorting to the metaphorical theory in cognitive linguistics.
文摘Recently the so called "China Threat" theory frequently appears in some western publications. Since in the eyes of many American scholars and columnists, China will become a huge threat to the western world. In this paper, firstly the author will use Fairclough and Foucault's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) theories to explain how this editorial was produced, distributed and consumed. Then in order to understand what effect the editorial might achieve, the author will make an analysis on its claim, ground, warrant and backing according to Toulmin's methods and procedures of argumentation. In the end of this thesis, the author would say that among these new changes and uncertainties, China is in need of position itself properly.
文摘This paper studies the address term translation from the cognitive perspective. Concerning the difficulties in rendering the cultural connotations in address terms, the author introduces experiential view and culture model as the guidelines to solve the problems. The results show the significance of bridging the cultural gap in address term translation.
文摘The effects of a task-based learning (TBL) approach on learner progress in L2 public speaking are investigated through questionnaires, a case study, and student evaluations. The 34 completed questionnaires showed that all of the students made generic preparations for their first individual speech, but relevant and unique improvements for the second one. Speeches given in English by two Chinese undergraduate students in the same Public Speaking course were analyzed in detail to identify phonological improvements in accuracy and fluenc~ The paper concludes that task-based instruction supports learner-initiated learning opportunities outside the classroom, thus encouraging greater learner improvements.
文摘This essay explores key issues and developments in the growth of English public speaking as a course in Chinese higher education. Growing initially out of interest generated by national speech competitions, English public speaking has become a sought-after subject because of its value in today's globalized world. Focusing on English as a working language, it strengthens core skills and competencies not just in oral communication, but also in writing, listening, critical thinking, intercultural communicative competence, and overall English proficiency. Grounded in the Western discipline of rhetoric, it is being localized in China through creative adaptation by teachers and students alike.
文摘This research explores the studies published in English from 2004 to 2013 on the Public Speaking (PS) course to provide a preliminary framework of the research paradigm and identify its major themes and sub-themes in this field. A maiority of the studies were from the communication literature, with the remaining studies coming from the disciplines of linguistics, education and psychology, which indicates research on PS is multidisciplinary. In the literature, the years 2004 and 2005 saw a peak of studies from native-speaking countries while the years 2011 and 2012 began to see an increase of the research from non-native speaking countries. Nearly half of the studies fell into the non-empirical category. With the method of content analysis and based on the research agenda in the public speaking proposed by Lucas (2011), seven themes were identified, including public speaking anxiety, goals of the public speaking course and pedagogical strategies, pedagogical content, course assessment, technology and integrative methods as pedagogy, PS textbooks, and adaptation of the course to non-native speakers. It is hoped that the findings here can contribute to refining research on PS course in China and providing insights for Chinese practitioners.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2011WC033)the High Level Fundamental Research Funds for the Development of Foreign Language Discipline of HUST(Huazhong University of Science and Technology)
文摘The current study applied classic communication models to investigating 34 laureate impromptu speeches at the 2010 and 2011 "FLTRP (Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press) Cup" English Speaking Contest, one of the most influential of its kind in China, to identify the features of public speaking skills of Advanced Chinese EFL learners. The speech scripts and video excerpts from the subsequent manuscript collection with the CD-Rom published by FLTRP were studied. Lucas' framework of speech communication process was borrowed to bridge elements of the communication models and speech delivery process. Three key aspects of the speakers' encoding endeavors were under close examination: the verbal preferences, the non-verbal preferences, and the topic selection for exemplification. It was found that successful speakers demonstrated a clear and strong audience orientation. They chose more first person pronouns, fewer abstract words, a controlled number of dependent clauses, clear transition words, and limited figures of speech. They used very few verbal fillers, slips of tongue, a moderate speech rate and varied tone inflections. The speakers also showed distinctive features in gestures, eye contact and facial expressions. They employed anecdotes which shared a common field of experience. Pedagogical implications on the teaching of public speaking were discussed.
文摘Well known to students of rhetoric,classics,and the history of education,Quintilian’s Institutes of Oratory also merits the attention of EFL teachers and scholars who deal with public speaking and written composition.Although created in ancient Rome 2,000 years ago,the Institutes is replete with insights that are as applicable today as in Quintilian’s time.After providing historical background on Quintilian and his masterwork,this article examines his comprehensive program of speech education,his explication of the symbiotic relationship between speech and writing,and his notion of the good person speaking(and writing)well as the ideal of ethical communication.In the process,it touches upon numerous issues germane to English language educators in China and to EFL teaching and research in general.