质疑反“本质主义”并商榷“文学理论的批评化”

针对文学理论界反本质主义的矫枉过正,本文从西方文化研究的现状、性质等考察,认为提倡以文化研究替代文学理论,不过是对西学理路的曲意奉和,并为当下的私语话、感官化写作寻求话语庇护。至于文学理论的批评化,其实是一种反本质主义的委婉言说,其结果,只能是理论纯度的降解和批评的文本化与独白化。文学理论只有在开放中坚守,在多元中自律,才能提高其外指性功能与有效性阐释。

关于场外理论文学化问题的几点补充意见

应当严格区分场外征用与应用某些场外理论在文学场域内进行的审美性以外(非文学)的种种阐释和评论。后者的落脚点还是在文学场域内,目的是为了阐释和评价文学,不应该视为场外征用。

The Relevance of Vygotsky＇s Developmental Perspective to the Debate on Methodology in Psychological Science

Throughout his work, Lev S. Vygotsky （1896-1934） pursued the objective of reformulating psychological theory. His historical-cultural analysis of the ＂crisis in psychology＂ showed that, beyond contradictions between the two main methodological currents---＂objective/explanatory＂ and ＂subjective/intuitive＂--psychology is primarily influenced by its empirical-sensory foundations. This influence is actually at the origin of the disagreement since it maintains the obligation for the two currents to make reference to empirical-sensory data. Only a general model of the developing human being, assessed by its usefulness, will allow reorienting psychology towards a broader science. This would lead to a general theory of psychology, which could then facilitate the search for tools for an indirect method enabling it to go beyond empiricism.

The ＂Pictorial Turn＂ as Crisis and the Necessity of a Critique of Visual Culture

The ＂Pictorial＂ or ＂Iconic Turn＂ is a central issue in the contemporary theory of images and visual cultural studies. Should the theories concerning the ＂Iconic Turn＂ and formulated in the last 20 years by scholars such as Gottfried Boehm, William Mitchell, Hans Belting be taken as critical theories of crisis？ Is the currently experienced ＂turn towards images＂ （and their progressive rehabilitation after a long standing philosophical and theological rejection） a sign and symptom of some crisis of people＇s relation with images, language and, generally speaking, with the representation forms of reality？ The main hypothesis of this essay envisages two sets of problems： first, the analysis of the relation between the possible idea of turning point and the concept of crisis; secondly, the thorough investigation of the relation connecting the iconic turn to the project of ＂critical iconology＂ or ＂critique of visual culture,＂ as outlined by Hans Belting and William Mitchell. From the interpretation of the ＂Iconic Turn＂ as situation of crisis and aesthetic, anthropological, and epistemological transformation follows the need for the sciences of image to provide a ＂critical iconology＂ in order to be able to theoretically reformulate the ideological and political presuppositions of some dominant contemporary forms of visual representation.

English Cultural Introduction Teaching from the Perspective of Applied Linguistics

In the process of learning a language, the language communication from the perspective of applied linguistics cannot exist without certain cultural tendency. Practice proves that an appropriate introduction of the background culture having a certain relationship with language environment can enrich the knowledge structure of students, and effectively remove the obstacles in the process of English language communication, so that the cognitive ability is improved. In this paper, applied linguistics as well as the concept of cultural introduction teaching theory is briefly elaborated, and the necessities of cultural introduction teaching and the signiflcances of English cultural introduction teaching are analyzed, and also some rules necessary to follow in the introduction teaching of English culture are introduced, and then the implementation strategies are discussed, so as to provide a reference for a large number of educational workers.

The Role of EFL/ESL Teachers＇ Idiosyncratic Knowledge Base in Their Professional Development in the Postmethod Premise

The present paper examines an EFL/ESL teacher＇s potential in generating and developing his/her own knowledge base and theories of teaching and learning independent of the knowledge base manufactured by the ＂experts＂ in those fields. It also makes an effort to pave the way for them to go beyond the edge and advance towards an innovation that deviates from simple, certain, controlled and established ways of teaching and conducting researches towards complex, uncertain and less-controlled ones. It scrutinizes how instead of simply testing, ＂idealizing and reifying＂ the traditional, already established literature, an EFL/ESL teacher takes it as a point of departure in order to develop their own framework based on their practical experiences. The readymade professional theories and pedagogies are mostly generalizations--sometimes overgeneralizations---of the patrons of certain ideology to privilege a certain political or cultural group to place it over others. This usually sets barrier to an individual teacher＇s professional development since they are often set back from ＂theorizing what they practice and practice what they theorize＂ denying his/her idiosyncratic knowledge base that is convincingly capable of helping him/her grow professionally. It also leads to denying the teachers＇ and learners＇ socio-politico-cultural faiths that mould up a person as a whole. However, this paper also recognizes the traditional knowledge base as the ground for individual teachers to leap offand advance towards innovation.

场外理论的场内合法性

理论的"文学化"就是通过文本的批评来操演的,缺乏这个环节,理论就会游离于文学的经验现象,成为为理论而理论的非文学的理论。因此,有必要主张一种为文学的文学理论。

Four Dimensions to Construct China＇s Modem Discourse of Aesthetics Based on China＇s Aesthetic Development in 20th Century

Contemporary Chinese scholars proposed that China should construct modem Chinese aesthetic discourse system, therefore, we should attach great importance to China＇s own aesthetic development in 20th century and learn experience from it. There are four dimensions of learning. First, we should seek the origin of methods from Marxism. Second, the study should deeply rooted in Chinese traditional culture. Third, we should refer to ancient and modem Western aesthetic theories. Last but not the least, all the scholars should be encouraged to express their views freely and equally. The four dimensions, which plays an important role in constructing China＇s modem discourse of aesthetics, derived from the conclusion and experience of China＇s modem aesthetic development in 20th century.

An Annotation of Language Teacher Beliefs in View of Educational Culture

The research on foreign language （FL） teachers＇ cognition and its development has been attracting attention in the field of applied linguistics. However, the gap between teaching theories and truths, teacher beliefs and behaviors can only be annotated by an in-depth investigation of belief determinants （BD） that are shaped by specific educational culture. Based on an investigation of language teacher beliefs, this paper is an annotation of language teacher beliefs in view of educational culture. By using both qualitative and quantitative methods of interviewing forefront teachers and making a literature review, it intends to reveal the dynamic nature of teacher beliefs as the teaching reality in view of the impact and significance of educational culture. It hammers home with the conclusion that the teachers-role-fulfillment in China is based on their real beliefs and loaded with cultural, social, and subject pressure; it is not a lincal impartment from theory to practice, from advocating to implementing, but a selective practice with teachers＇ active cognition and adaptation towards the local educational culture.

Timelessness and Time Dependence of Human Consciousness From a Scientific Western Viewpoint

Eastern philosophy and western science have convergent and divergent viewpoints for their explanation of consciousness. Convergence is found for the practice of meditation allowing besides a time dependent consciousness, the experience of a timeless consciousness and its beneficial effect on psychological wellbeing and medical improvements, which are confirmed by multiple scientific publications. Theories of quantum mechanics with non-locality and timelessness also show astonishing correlation to eastern philosophy, such as the theory of Penrose-Hameroff （ORC-OR）, which explains consciousness by reduction of quantum superposition in the brain. Divergence appears in the interpretation of the subjective experience of timeless consciousness. In eastern philosophy, meditation at a higher level of awareness allows the personal experience of timeless and non-dual consciousness, considered as an empirical proof for the existence of pure consciousness or spirituality existing before the material world and creating it by design. Western science acknowledges the subjective, non-dual experience, and its multiple beneficial effects, however, the interpretation of spirituality designing the material universe is in disagreement with the Darwinian Theory of mutation and selection. A design should create an ideal universe without the injustice of 3% congenital birth defects and later genetic health problems. The western viewpoint of selection is more adapted to explain congenital errors. The gap between subjectivity and objectivity, the mind-body problem, is in eastern philosophy reduced to the dominance of subjectivity over objectivity, whereas western science attributes equal values to both. Nevertheless, there remains an astonishing complementarity between eastern and western practices.

From Learning English to Learning in English:A Comparative Study of the Impact of Learning Contexts upon Chinese EFL Learners' Strategy Use

The past three decades have witnessed a proliferation of research on Chinese English as a foreign language （EFL） learners＇ use of learning strategies, but little has been examined about the potential influence of learning contexts upon their strategic engagement. This paper reports on the findings of an investigation of the impact of learning contexts upon the use of learning strategies of two cohorts of EFL learners in China. Both cohorts were non-English majors, one from a university where English is the medium of instruction （EMI） and the other from an EFL university. The data were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Results reveal that learners from the EMI university demonstrated a higher level in their overall use of learning strategies over their counterparts from the EFL university. Independent T-test shows that the two cohorts were significantly different in their use of cognitive, meta-cognitive, affective and social strategies. These findings were discussed from a socio-cultural perspective. Implications are presented for the reform of English language education in China and beyond.

LEARNING THEORIES AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING

This article critically examines three most influential learning theories that underlie the instruction and learning environments in second language learning (SLL). Evaluation follows the description of each theory. The point is to understand the impacts of different theories on second language learning. The paper argues that an integrated approach, which combines the three theories, is needed.

Understanding Good Language Learners’ Writing Strategy Use in the Chinese EFL Context: A Sociocultural Perspective

Strategy studies have been a well-established field in second language writing research and this article investigates English as a foreign language （EFL） learners＇ writing strategy use from a sociocultural perspective. Unlike the traditional focus on internal cognitive mechanisms in writing strategy studies, this sociocultural approach highlights the dialectic relationship between cognition and the sociocultural context and the importance of mediating resources in strategy use. Six proficient English majors from a Chinese university participated in the study, and data about their writing experience were collected through interviews. The findings showed that the participants used four types of writing strategies： artifact-mediated, rule-mediated, community-mediated, and role-mediated strategies. Other features of their strategy use include the diversity of mediating resources, idiosyncratic use of these resources, and the common goal to enhance their language knowledge and writing ability. Drawing on these findings, it is suggested that teachers can reconfigure the sociocultural context of writing activities to help students enhance their strategy use and possible ways include artifact manipulation and community construction.

The Discourse of English Reading Lessons in Chinese Middle Schools: A Sociocultural Perspective

While the research agenda of classroom interaction has long been well established internationally, scholars in China have paid little empirical attention to these developments until recently. Furthermore, among the body of work on the local classroom discourse, very few studies have focused on the secondary sectors. From the perspective of the sociocultural theory （SCT）, this article examines the classroom discourse of Chinese middle school English language teaching （ELT） by investigating teacher-student interaction. The transcribed classroom discourse of 8 teachers＇ reading lessons is qualitatively coded and quantitatively measured. The study draws on a descriptive system focusing on the teacher-led three-part initiation-response-feedback （IRF） structure. The research findings reveal that quite similar discourse patterns are found in the lessons sampled, with the initiation-response-evaluation （IRE） sequence dominating the EFL （English as a Foreign Language） classroom interaction investigated. Theoretically, the paper aims to place the SCT perspectives in the foreground. Pedagogically, it attempts to raise teacher-practitioners＇ levels of awareness of the use of teacher talk in EFL classroom interaction.

SPECIAL ISSUE： CULTURAL PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN CHINA：The basic nature of cultural philosophy

The generalized use of the concept of cultural philosophy means that its basic nature and research levels have yet to be addressed. The systematization, basic nature and research themes of cultural philosophy are determined by three premises： first, the logical evolution of modernization and the emergence of the conception of total modernization; second, the cultural logic of globalization, along with the advent of a recta-cultural form, i.e. the idea of ＂world culture＂; and third, the highlighting of the logic of cultural development, the totality of culture and cultural ontological experience. These fundamental changes have made cultural philosophy the subcurrent and underlying reality of various modern philosophies; the theoretical forms of cultural philosophy are simply their concentrated expression and form. Research in cultural philosophy has three levels： the level of cultural values, the level of metaphysics, and the level of cultural criticism. Cultural philosophy is thus a new form of philosophy.

A DISSOLVED-POINT STUDY ON LOCALIZATION & GLOBALIZATION OF ENGLISH TEACHING

The paper regards young adult literature (YAL) as a dissolved-point between localization and globalization of English teaching, and discusses (1) whether the western YAL teaching theories, methods and teaching materials accord with Chinese actual situation well or not, (2) if YAL reading is an effective way for creating life-long readers, and (3) why and how to teach YAL. Based on YAL learning and teaching practice, the author uses Soter's YAL theories and alternative approaches, try to clarify three relationships: YA-YAL; adult literature-YAL-children's literature; classics-YAL balance. And put forward three ways for books selection and three reading patterns to YAL teaching.