The synthetic defining style, a predominant way used to define verbs in many dictionaries, is the main factor that makes dictionary definitions vague and incomplete. The present paper argues that instead of the synthe...The synthetic defining style, a predominant way used to define verbs in many dictionaries, is the main factor that makes dictionary definitions vague and incomplete. The present paper argues that instead of the synthetic defining mode, an analytical meaning-explaining way should be used in dictionaries designed for SLA learners. The analytical meanings of verbs are viewed as mini-narratives and form event schemata comprised of three sub-schemata, namely, participant schema, action schema and scenario schema. The three sub-schemata should be clearly fore-grounded in verbs＇ definitions in learners＇ dictionaries.展开更多
Dictionaries should present business encyclopedic knowledge as well as business linguistic knowledge. This paper, taking Incoterms for international trade as an example （with ＂CIF＂ as the case for analysis）, intro...Dictionaries should present business encyclopedic knowledge as well as business linguistic knowledge. This paper, taking Incoterms for international trade as an example （with ＂CIF＂ as the case for analysis）, introduces 7 types of dictionary structures （overall structure, frame stzucture/megastrncture, macrostructure, microstzucture, distribution structure, cross-reference stzucture/mediostrncture and access structure）, summarizes the knowledge system of international trade terms （consisting of ＂international trade＂, ＂sets of rules of international trade terms＂, ＂Incoterms 2010＂, and ＂CIF＂）, and illustrates the methods of systematically presenting the knowledge system of international trade terms through dictionary structures in an English-English-Chinese bilingualized business English learners＇ dictionary with Oxford Business English Dictionary for Learners of English （New Edition） as a reference. Such presentation is intended for enhancing business English learners as dictionary users to grasp the knowledge of international trade terms as a whole.展开更多
As a major resource and tool of language learning, learner’s dictionaries have provided sufficient information forL2 writing, which serves as a good guide of peer feedback. Hence, learner’s dictionaries are an indis...As a major resource and tool of language learning, learner’s dictionaries have provided sufficient information forL2 writing, which serves as a good guide of peer feedback. Hence, learner’s dictionaries are an indispensable partof scaffolding in the L2 writing feedback system. However, the effects of dictionary use in L2 writing have longbeen ignored either in L2 writing pedagogy or in learner lexicography. By applying the concept of “scaffolding” topeer feedback as the theoretical framework, this study first clarifies three distinct types of scaffolding informationpresented in current English learner’s dictionaries, and then makes an investigation into EFL learners’ perceptionand practical use of scaffolding information in their English writing. Results show that most EFL learners havepositive attitudes towards scaffolding information and its role in motivating effective feedback in English writing.But their practical use of such information is not satisfactory owing to their inadequate skills and knowledge ofdictionary use. This reflects a high demand of a dictionary use course in universities, which will help to raise EFLlearners’ dictionary use efficiency as well as improve English teachers’ lexicographical expertise in English writingpedagogy.展开更多
As one of the most popular English learning tools, the 7th edition of Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary aims to provide adequate information to satisfy learners' needs. In this article, this...As one of the most popular English learning tools, the 7th edition of Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary aims to provide adequate information to satisfy learners' needs. In this article, this latest edition is examined with re spect to two primary aspects: syntactic and semantic information based on Chan, A.C. and Y. Loong's evaluating criteria of learn er's dictionary. The focus falls on grammatical properties of nouns, verbs and adjectives, valency requirement, definitions, syn onyms and antonyms, collocations, etc. Conclusion suggests that the overall standard of this new dictionary is admirably high in terms of applicability and user-friendliness.展开更多
The author proposes here for utilizing ELC （English Language Corpora） as a secondary resource for developing ELT （English Language Teaching） materials for teaching English to Indian learners. We argue for using EL...The author proposes here for utilizing ELC （English Language Corpora） as a secondary resource for developing ELT （English Language Teaching） materials for teaching English to Indian learners. We argue for using ELC as one of the most authentic representative collections of modem English language from where we extract necessary linguistic data, information, and examples to develop basic as well as additional resources of ELT, such as, text books, reference materials, syllabuses, grammar books, dictionaries, and terminology databases, etc., for Indian learners. Keeping the requirements of individual learners in mind we propose to customize materials to make these maximally useful within the broader scheme of CALT （Computer Assisted Language Teaching）. In our view, ELT resources developed from ELC are more useful for Indian learners, because ELC represents diversified varieties of usage of modem English in real situations, which Indian learners need to assimilate to be at par with others across the globe. Also ELC-based ELT resources are more interesting and beneficial to Indian learners, if instructors carefully utilize these resources keeping in mind the requirements of learners. If Indian ELT learners want to compete in global frame, then utilization of ELC-based ELT resources is the most useful solution, which we can ignore at the cost of our own peril.展开更多
According to Cowie(2002), choosing which type of dictionary depends on"several factors, including the year of study, the level of linguistic proficiency of the users, and the nature of the study activity"(p....According to Cowie(2002), choosing which type of dictionary depends on"several factors, including the year of study, the level of linguistic proficiency of the users, and the nature of the study activity"(p. 195). After comparing the features of monolingual and bilingual learner's dictionaries, and examining the definitions and examples of three entry words(‘owe',‘deadlock'and‘pertinent') in six popular learner's dictionaries in China, we make a tentative conclusion that bilingualised dictionary is the better choice in vocabulary learning of Chinese college students as non-English majors. Some further investigations have to be conducted about the status quo of dictionary use among Chinese college students as non-English majors and their vocabulary learning strategies.展开更多
Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners(MEDAL) applied conceptual metaphor theory to practical lexicogra-phy systematically for the first time, namely, setting Metaphor Box. In the wake of MEDAL, Macmillan ...Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners(MEDAL) applied conceptual metaphor theory to practical lexicogra-phy systematically for the first time, namely, setting Metaphor Box. In the wake of MEDAL, Macmillan English-Chinese Dictionary for Advanced Learners was published based on the English blueprint. Due to different experience and thinking ways between Chi-nese and English, it is not easy for users to understand and translate the metaphors boxes without the help of proper translationstrategies. As an authoritative bilingual version for learners, it provided a template of understanding and translating metaphors.Thus, studying its strategies used in translating the metaphors boxes will be helpful for learners to understand and translate meta-phors in language learning. On the basis of strategies suggested by other researchers and case analysis, three main strategies usedin translating the Metaphor Boxes in the dictionary will be proposed.展开更多
Although the middle construction has attracted significant attention from syntacticians, its identity still remains controversial and it is not treated as a separate grammatical category in any English learner＇s dict...Although the middle construction has attracted significant attention from syntacticians, its identity still remains controversial and it is not treated as a separate grammatical category in any English learner＇s dictionary. This article, based on the data collected from three English learner＇s dictionaries, investigates the middle construction in terms of its syntactic and semantic properties and the constraints on its use. It shows that the three learner＇s dictionaries treat the middle construction in inconsistent and problematic manners. The middle use of a verb is not distinguished from either transitive verbs with an implicit object or intransitive verbs, which may hinder English learners＇ acquisition of the construction. The article proposes that middle verbs should be treated as a separate subcategory of verbs on a par with transitive and intransitive verbs so that learners will become more aware of them and learn to use them correctly.展开更多
文摘The synthetic defining style, a predominant way used to define verbs in many dictionaries, is the main factor that makes dictionary definitions vague and incomplete. The present paper argues that instead of the synthetic defining mode, an analytical meaning-explaining way should be used in dictionaries designed for SLA learners. The analytical meanings of verbs are viewed as mini-narratives and form event schemata comprised of three sub-schemata, namely, participant schema, action schema and scenario schema. The three sub-schemata should be clearly fore-grounded in verbs＇ definitions in learners＇ dictionaries.
文摘Dictionaries should present business encyclopedic knowledge as well as business linguistic knowledge. This paper, taking Incoterms for international trade as an example （with ＂CIF＂ as the case for analysis）, introduces 7 types of dictionary structures （overall structure, frame stzucture/megastrncture, macrostructure, microstzucture, distribution structure, cross-reference stzucture/mediostrncture and access structure）, summarizes the knowledge system of international trade terms （consisting of ＂international trade＂, ＂sets of rules of international trade terms＂, ＂Incoterms 2010＂, and ＂CIF＂）, and illustrates the methods of systematically presenting the knowledge system of international trade terms through dictionary structures in an English-English-Chinese bilingualized business English learners＇ dictionary with Oxford Business English Dictionary for Learners of English （New Edition） as a reference. Such presentation is intended for enhancing business English learners as dictionary users to grasp the knowledge of international trade terms as a whole.
文摘As a major resource and tool of language learning, learner’s dictionaries have provided sufficient information forL2 writing, which serves as a good guide of peer feedback. Hence, learner’s dictionaries are an indispensable partof scaffolding in the L2 writing feedback system. However, the effects of dictionary use in L2 writing have longbeen ignored either in L2 writing pedagogy or in learner lexicography. By applying the concept of “scaffolding” topeer feedback as the theoretical framework, this study first clarifies three distinct types of scaffolding informationpresented in current English learner’s dictionaries, and then makes an investigation into EFL learners’ perceptionand practical use of scaffolding information in their English writing. Results show that most EFL learners havepositive attitudes towards scaffolding information and its role in motivating effective feedback in English writing.But their practical use of such information is not satisfactory owing to their inadequate skills and knowledge ofdictionary use. This reflects a high demand of a dictionary use course in universities, which will help to raise EFLlearners’ dictionary use efficiency as well as improve English teachers’ lexicographical expertise in English writingpedagogy.
文摘As one of the most popular English learning tools, the 7th edition of Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary aims to provide adequate information to satisfy learners' needs. In this article, this latest edition is examined with re spect to two primary aspects: syntactic and semantic information based on Chan, A.C. and Y. Loong's evaluating criteria of learn er's dictionary. The focus falls on grammatical properties of nouns, verbs and adjectives, valency requirement, definitions, syn onyms and antonyms, collocations, etc. Conclusion suggests that the overall standard of this new dictionary is admirably high in terms of applicability and user-friendliness.
文摘The author proposes here for utilizing ELC （English Language Corpora） as a secondary resource for developing ELT （English Language Teaching） materials for teaching English to Indian learners. We argue for using ELC as one of the most authentic representative collections of modem English language from where we extract necessary linguistic data, information, and examples to develop basic as well as additional resources of ELT, such as, text books, reference materials, syllabuses, grammar books, dictionaries, and terminology databases, etc., for Indian learners. Keeping the requirements of individual learners in mind we propose to customize materials to make these maximally useful within the broader scheme of CALT （Computer Assisted Language Teaching）. In our view, ELT resources developed from ELC are more useful for Indian learners, because ELC represents diversified varieties of usage of modem English in real situations, which Indian learners need to assimilate to be at par with others across the globe. Also ELC-based ELT resources are more interesting and beneficial to Indian learners, if instructors carefully utilize these resources keeping in mind the requirements of learners. If Indian ELT learners want to compete in global frame, then utilization of ELC-based ELT resources is the most useful solution, which we can ignore at the cost of our own peril.
文摘According to Cowie(2002), choosing which type of dictionary depends on"several factors, including the year of study, the level of linguistic proficiency of the users, and the nature of the study activity"(p. 195). After comparing the features of monolingual and bilingual learner's dictionaries, and examining the definitions and examples of three entry words(‘owe',‘deadlock'and‘pertinent') in six popular learner's dictionaries in China, we make a tentative conclusion that bilingualised dictionary is the better choice in vocabulary learning of Chinese college students as non-English majors. Some further investigations have to be conducted about the status quo of dictionary use among Chinese college students as non-English majors and their vocabulary learning strategies.
文摘Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners(MEDAL) applied conceptual metaphor theory to practical lexicogra-phy systematically for the first time, namely, setting Metaphor Box. In the wake of MEDAL, Macmillan English-Chinese Dictionary for Advanced Learners was published based on the English blueprint. Due to different experience and thinking ways between Chi-nese and English, it is not easy for users to understand and translate the metaphors boxes without the help of proper translationstrategies. As an authoritative bilingual version for learners, it provided a template of understanding and translating metaphors.Thus, studying its strategies used in translating the metaphors boxes will be helpful for learners to understand and translate meta-phors in language learning. On the basis of strategies suggested by other researchers and case analysis, three main strategies usedin translating the Metaphor Boxes in the dictionary will be proposed.
文摘Although the middle construction has attracted significant attention from syntacticians, its identity still remains controversial and it is not treated as a separate grammatical category in any English learner＇s dictionary. This article, based on the data collected from three English learner＇s dictionaries, investigates the middle construction in terms of its syntactic and semantic properties and the constraints on its use. It shows that the three learner＇s dictionaries treat the middle construction in inconsistent and problematic manners. The middle use of a verb is not distinguished from either transitive verbs with an implicit object or intransitive verbs, which may hinder English learners＇ acquisition of the construction. The article proposes that middle verbs should be treated as a separate subcategory of verbs on a par with transitive and intransitive verbs so that learners will become more aware of them and learn to use them correctly.
