When scientific research began in early twentieth-century China,a key issue was the acquisition of reliable empirical information through objective and precise observations.This article examines a specific case where ...When scientific research began in early twentieth-century China,a key issue was the acquisition of reliable empirical information through objective and precise observations.This article examines a specific case where a scientist grappled with such an issue:the linguist Chao Yuen Ren’s application of mechanical means in his phonetic studies.In the 1920s–1930s,Chao conducted a series of field and lab studies on the dialects in southern and central China.In contrast to traditional scholars’exclusive reliance on sharp ears and rhyme books,Chao employed mechanical devices to inscribe and analyze the spectrographs of dialectical tones and used phonographs to record the articulations of his subjects.It is demonstrated that Chao’s machines not only provided a new method of observation;they also altered the theoretical understanding of certain fundamental categories in Chinese phonology,such as tones.Moreover,Chao did not aim to replace human perception with automatic mechanisms in empirical investigations.Rather,the use of machines in his research called for an active and engaged scientific persona.展开更多
English is widely taught as an FL （foreign language） in most middle schools in China. Chinese students have improved their English reading and writing these years, but they are relatively poor in listening and speak...English is widely taught as an FL （foreign language） in most middle schools in China. Chinese students have improved their English reading and writing these years, but they are relatively poor in listening and speaking. The author, based on the empirical study, made an investigation on Senior Three students in Leshan city. The statistics from the questionnaire indicate the problem of ＂Mute-crux＂ in English teaching and learning. This paper explores the reasons that cause the problem： teachers＇ use of the traditional ways, just emphasizing the transmission of English knowledge, but ignoring the meaningful communication with students; exercise-based and exam-oriented teaching, which cause students＇ rote-learning. The author proposes that Chinese English teachers ought to change the traditional notions and adopt effective ways to encourage students to speak bravely in order to improve their speaking abilities展开更多
文摘When scientific research began in early twentieth-century China,a key issue was the acquisition of reliable empirical information through objective and precise observations.This article examines a specific case where a scientist grappled with such an issue:the linguist Chao Yuen Ren’s application of mechanical means in his phonetic studies.In the 1920s–1930s,Chao conducted a series of field and lab studies on the dialects in southern and central China.In contrast to traditional scholars’exclusive reliance on sharp ears and rhyme books,Chao employed mechanical devices to inscribe and analyze the spectrographs of dialectical tones and used phonographs to record the articulations of his subjects.It is demonstrated that Chao’s machines not only provided a new method of observation;they also altered the theoretical understanding of certain fundamental categories in Chinese phonology,such as tones.Moreover,Chao did not aim to replace human perception with automatic mechanisms in empirical investigations.Rather,the use of machines in his research called for an active and engaged scientific persona.
文摘English is widely taught as an FL （foreign language） in most middle schools in China. Chinese students have improved their English reading and writing these years, but they are relatively poor in listening and speaking. The author, based on the empirical study, made an investigation on Senior Three students in Leshan city. The statistics from the questionnaire indicate the problem of ＂Mute-crux＂ in English teaching and learning. This paper explores the reasons that cause the problem： teachers＇ use of the traditional ways, just emphasizing the transmission of English knowledge, but ignoring the meaningful communication with students; exercise-based and exam-oriented teaching, which cause students＇ rote-learning. The author proposes that Chinese English teachers ought to change the traditional notions and adopt effective ways to encourage students to speak bravely in order to improve their speaking abilities
