从语言功能角度谈英语的韵律特征

论文摘要

语言是人类最主要的交流工具。日常交流的实现不仅仅是文字的表达,同时也依托音高、音强、音速、节奏等韵律(超音段)成分的个别或相互作用。作为语言的一部分,韵律成分也同样具备语言所具有的功能。语言学家约翰·甘柏兹、罗曼·雅各布森、杰弗里·利奇、戴尔·海莫斯、韩礼德等从不同的角度给语言的功能予以分类,提出了诸如指称功能、表情功能、诗歌功能等多种类别,其中利奇的分类集中体现了多位语言学家的观点,最具代表性。本文从语言功能角度着手,以利奇的分类为着眼点,逐个探究音高、音强、音速、节奏等韵律特征的信息功能、表情功能、指令功能、寒暄功能以及审美功能,从而证实韵律特征通过变化在交流中实现了其多种语言功能。对207名英语专业和非英语专业大学生的调研结果反映出在现行的教育环境下学生对韵律特征缺乏了解,但绝大多数学生又意识到韵律成分在英语交流中的作用,并对了解此方面知识的必要性给予了肯定。研究和调研的结果也为今后的英语教学提供了启示。语音教学要更加广泛深入地融入与韵律特征有关的语音学和音系学知识。全面、系统地了解韵律特征的相关知识是有效地发挥韵律特征相关功能、促进交流的重要前提。

论文目录

• Acknowledgements
• 摘要
• Abstract
• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 Research background
• 1.2 Thesis organization
• 2. Prosody: a preliminary view
• 2.1 Phonetics and phonology
• 2.2 Segmental and suprasegmental
• 2.3 Prosodic features
• 2.3.1 Pitch
• 2.3.1.1 The nature of pitch
• 2.3.1.2 Pitch, tone, and intonation
• 2.3.2 Loudness
• 2.3.2.1 The nature of loudness
• 2.3.2.2 Loudness, stress and prominence
• 2.3.3 Tempo
• 2.3.3.1 The nature of tempo
• 2.3.3.2 Tempo, length, and duration
• 2.3.4 Rhythm
• 2.3.4.1 The nature of rhythm
• 2.3.4.2 English: Stress-timed or not?
• 3. A survey of the functions of language
• 3.1 Theories of language functions
• 3.2 Basic language functions
• 3.3 Functions of language according to Leech
• 3.3.1 Informational function
• 3.3.2 Expressive function
• 3.3.3 Directive function
• 3.3.4 Phatic function
• 3.3.5 Aesthetic function
• 3.4 Summary
• 4. A functional analysis of prosodic features
• 4.1 Informational function of prosodic features
• 4.1.1 Informational function realized by pitch variation
• 4.1.2 Informational function realized by loudness
• 4.1.3 Informational function realized by tempo
• 4.2 Expressive function of prosodic features
• 4.2.1 Expressive function realized by pitch variation
• 4.2.2 Expressive function realized by loudness
• 4.2.3 Expressive function realized by tempo and rhythm
• 4.3 Directive function of prosodic features
• 4.3.1 Directive function realized by pitch variation
• 4.3.2 Directive function realized by loudness, tempo and rhythm
• 4.4 Phatic function of prosodic features
• 4.4.1 Phatic function realized by pitch variation
• 4.4.2 Phatic function realized by loudness, tempo, and rhythm
• 4.5 Aesthetic function of prosodic features
• 4.5.1 Aesthetic function realized by pitch, loudness and tempo
• 4.5.2 Aesthetic function realized by rhythm
• 4.6 Language functions realized jointly by prosodic features
• 4.7 Summary
• 5. Implications in language teaching and communication
• 5.1 The investigation conducted
• 5.1.1 The purpose of the investigation
• 5.1.2 The participants of the investigation
• 5.1.3 A brief analysis of the investigation results
• 5.2 Implications in language teaching
• 5.2.1 Current pronunciation teaching situation
• 5.2.2 Integrating prosodic features into pronunciation teaching
• 5.3 Implications in language communication
• 6. Conclusion
• 6.1 Summary of the study
• 6.2 Limitations and suggestions
• Bibliography
• Appendix Questionnaire（调研问卷）
• 攻读学位期间的研究成果