Based on Conceptual Transfer Hypothesis (CTH), an empirical study is conducted to analyze the conceptual transfer of Chinese English learners when they acquire the different meanings of the preposition “at”. Then, t...Based on Conceptual Transfer Hypothesis (CTH), an empirical study is conducted to analyze the conceptual transfer of Chinese English learners when they acquire the different meanings of the preposition “at”. Then, the effect of English proficiency on conceptual transfer is tested by ANOVA. The results show that: 1) Chinese English learners transfer negatively in the process of acquiring the preposition “at”;2) the rate of transfer in the basic spatial meaning is higher than that in the metaphorical meaning;3) English proficiency is one of the most important factors in influencing learners’ conceptual transfer, and improving English proficiency is very helpful in overcoming this transfer, especially in the metaphorical meanings.展开更多
文摘Based on Conceptual Transfer Hypothesis (CTH), an empirical study is conducted to analyze the conceptual transfer of Chinese English learners when they acquire the different meanings of the preposition “at”. Then, the effect of English proficiency on conceptual transfer is tested by ANOVA. The results show that: 1) Chinese English learners transfer negatively in the process of acquiring the preposition “at”;2) the rate of transfer in the basic spatial meaning is higher than that in the metaphorical meaning;3) English proficiency is one of the most important factors in influencing learners’ conceptual transfer, and improving English proficiency is very helpful in overcoming this transfer, especially in the metaphorical meanings.
