Understanding of English Metaphorical Idioms by EFL Learners: a Cognitive Enquiry

摘要

This paper presents a new empirical study on the comprehension process of English metaphorical idioms by Chinese EFL learners. A questionnaire is designed to study whether and how L1 works in the comprehension of English metaphorical idioms sharing literal equivalents in Chinese. An interview composes the other part of the study, through which the dynamic on-line comprehension mechanism employed by Chinese subjects is probed. The research leads to the following conclusions: firstly, transfer does exist in the comprehension process of English metaphorical idioms by Chinese EFL learners. Positive transfer happens when dealing with idioms sharing both literal and idiomatic equivalents in Chinese, which facilitates learners' appropriate understanding. Negative transfer is activated in comprehending English idioms that possess literal counterparts in Chinese but contain different idiomatic meanings, which interferes with learners' appropriate comprehension. Appropriate comprehension of English metaphorical idioms is positively related to learners' English proficiency. Secondly, Conceptual Blending modified by Chinese culture is the dynamic on-line comprehension mechanism of English metaphorical idioms employed by EFL learners in China. Appropriate comprehension rate of metaphorical idioms possessing no literal counterparts in Chinese but containing metaphorical images with universal connotations increases with learners' English proficiency as a result of image transfer; while the comprehension of idioms containing images with connotations specific to Western culture is not significantly influenced by learners' English proficiency. This thesis will shed light on the research into the comprehension mechanism of figurative language as well as the arena of idiom teaching and translation.

目录

英文文摘

Acknowledgement

Chapter One Introduction

1.1 Idiom and Idiomaticity

1.2 Studies on Idioms in Western Countries

1.2.1 Semantic Perspective

1.2.2 Syntactic Perspective

1.2.3 Pragmatic Perspective

1.2.4 Psycholinguistic Perspective

1.2.5 Conclusion

1.3 Studies on Idioms in China

1.3.1 Cultural and Linguistic Characteristics of Idioms

1.3.2 Formation and Sources of Idioms

1.3.3 Application of Idioms

1.3.4 Comparative Study of English and Chinese Idioms and Translation

1.3.5 Comprehension of Idioms

1.3.6 Conclusion

Chapter Two A New Approach: Research and Theories

2.1 Basic Considerations about the Research

2.1.1 Object of the Study

2.1.2 Questionnaire

2.1.3 Interview

2.1.4 Purposes

2.2 Theories Relevant to the Research

2.2.1 Transfer

2.2.2 Understanding of Figurative Language

Chapter Three Research Design and Data Analysis

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Methodology 1

3.2.1 Subjects

3.2.2 Stimuli and Design

3.2.3 Procedure

3.2.4 Results and Discussion

3.3 Methodology 2

3.3.1 Subjects

3.3.2 Stimuli and Design

3.3.3 Procedure

3.3.4 Results and Discussion

Chapter Four Conclusion

4.1 Findings and Hypotheses Verification

4.2 Implications

4.2.1 Theoretical Implications

4.2.2 Pedagogical Implications

4.3 Limitations and Future Exploration

Bibliography

Appendices

Appendix 1

Appendix 2