英语阅读中隐喻的认知效果研究

论文摘要

隐喻是英语中无处不在的语言现象,隐喻的理解一直是隐喻研究领域的焦点。但是关于隐喻理解的研究大多以一语为研究对象,鲜见以二语或外语为研究对象。本文试图从不同的视角,即外语学习者的视角来考察隐喻在外语阅读中的认知效果。具体来说本文试图在概念隐喻理论和概念整合理论的框架下回答以下两个研究问题:A.外语学习者怎样理解不同的英语隐喻。换句话说,中国英语学习者对于英语中不同类型的隐喻的理解是否需要付出额外的多于理解非隐喻性语言的认知努力。B.在英语阅读过程中,隐喻的认知效果是什么?即隐喻对于整个语篇的理解的影响是积极的,还是消极的?本研究的研究方法采取了阅读测试和访谈的方法,整个研究分两个阶段进行。在第一个阅读测试中,被试要求完成含有不同种类英语隐喻理解的试卷。实验结果表明,中国英语学习者对于不同种类的隐喻的理解过程的复杂度是不同的。对于规约隐喻和英汉文化中普遍存在的隐喻的理解是无意识的,不需要读者付出额外的认知努力;但是新隐喻和与英语特定文化相关的隐喻的理解花费的时间多,成绩低,这说明概念的创造性整合和社会文化因素往往使外语学习者花费更多的时间和认知努力来进行更多的推理和判断。在第二阶段的阅读测试中,研究结果显示在排除文化因素干扰的情况下,语篇阅读中的隐喻的认知效果是积极的,对语篇的理解是建设性的,不是破坏性的。这种积极的作用体现在隐喻的多种功能中,比如意义建构功能,重新概念化功能,表达说话者态度和意识形态功能,以及促进语篇的组织和连贯功能。本研究的发现可以进一步揭示隐喻语言现象的本质,促进隐喻的研究,同时为英语教学和学习提供有益的启示。

论文目录

• 摘要
• ABSTRACT
• CONTENTS
• 1 INTRODUCTION
• 1.1 BACKGaOUND
• 1.2 NEED FOR STUDY
• 1.3 OUTLINE OF THE THESIS
• 2 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
• 2.1 REVIEW ON STUDIES OF METAPHOR
• 2.1.1 Definitions and classifications of Metaphor
• 2.1.1.1 Definition of metaphor
• 2.1.1.2 Classification of metaphors
• 2.1.2 Different approaches to metaphor
• 2.1.2.1 Comparison theory of metaphor
• 2.1.2.2 Interaction theory
• 2.1.2.3 Cognitive theory of metaphor
• 2.2 REVIEWS ON STUDIES OF EFL READING
• 2.2.1 Foreign language reading as a cognitive process
• 2.2.2 Factors affecting foreign language reading
• 2.3 ADISCUSSION ON METAPHOR UNDERSTANDING
• 2.3.1 Pragmatic view
• 2.3.2 Cognitive and psycholinguistic view
• 2.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
• 2.4.1 Domains vs.mental spaces
• 2.4.2 BT and CMT accounting for metaphor in a complementary way
• 3 AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
• 3.1 RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES
• 3.2 METHODOLOGY
• 3.2.1 Participants
• 3.2.2 Materials
• 3.2.3 Procedure
• 3.3 RESULTS
• 3.3.1 Results of the reading experiment 1
• 3.3.2 Results of the reading experiment 2
• 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
• 4.1 EFL LEARNERS'UNDERSTANDING OF METAPHORS IN ENGLISH
• 4.1.1 Conventional metaphors understanding
• 4.1.2 Creative Metaphors understanding
• 4.1.3 Universal metaphors and Cultural specific metaphors understanding
• 4.2 A MULTI-FACET ROLE OF METAPHORS IN EFL READING
• 4.2.1 Meaning constructing effects of metaphors in EFL reading
• 4.2.1.1 Filling lexical gaps
• 4.2.1.2 Making abstract meaning concrete
• 4.2.1.3 Reconceptualization
• 4.2.2 Social and ideological effects of metaphors in EFL reading
• 4.2.2.1 Argument and persuasion
• 4.2.2.2 Expressing attitudes and ideology latently
• 4.2.2.3 Cultivating intimacy
• 4.2.3 Stylistic effects of metaphors in EFL reading
• 4.2.4 Textual structuring effects of metaphors in EFL reading
• 5 CONCLUSIONS
• 5.1 GENERAL FINDINGS
• 5.2 IMPLICATIONS OFTHE STUDY
• 5.2.1 Metaphor as part of human cognitive system
• 5.2.2 Universality and variations of metaphors across cultures
• 5.2.3 EFL learners' understanding metaphor in English
• 5.2.4 Introducing metaphors in teaching and learning
• 5.2.5 Socio-cultural constraint on metaphor in EFL reading
• 5.3 LIMITATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH.
• REFERENCES
• APPENDIX
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS