英语复杂句简略结构的认知研究_英语论文

A Study on Reduced Complex Sentences from the Perspective of Cognitive Linguistics

摘要

本文主要研究英语复杂句简略结构的建构机制及其背后的认知理据。在英语语法系统中，复杂句简略结构是一个重难点。为此，本文首先通过回顾相关文献梳理出英语复杂句简略结构的建构特点，然后借助实证调查进一步分析求证，最后在认知语言学视角下应用标记理论和经济原则溯源求因，旨在厘清英语复杂句简略结构的内在本质。研究发现，一方面英语复杂句的句式结构越简略、标记性越强则其认知难度越大；另一方面，在经济原则作用下，表述者更倾向于使用复杂句简略结构而倾听者则反之。本文的研究结果对英语复杂句研究起积极的示范作用，并对认知语言学、心理语言学以及中国外语教学等相关研究都具有一定的启示和影响。

关键词：英语复杂句；简略结构；认知机制；标记结构；经济原则

Abstract

The present thesis makes an attempt to probe into the cognitive mechanism and motivation of reduced English complex sentences. These sentences play an important role in language usage but may be difficult to comprehend. To cope with this problem, this thesis firstly analyzes relevant materials to figure out the structures and features of reduced complex sentences, and then conducts the empirical research to further clarify it. Finally, it resorts to the markedness theory and the principle of economy so as to explain the nature of reduced complex sentences from the perspective of cognitive linguistics. It concludes by claiming that on the one hand, the more reduced and marked a complex sentence is, the more difficult it is to understand. On the other hand, under the principle of economy, reduced complex sentences are conducive to speakers but troublesome for the listening counterparts. With these findings, this thesis is of much help to the research on reduced complex sentences. It also has effects on the cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics as well as the foreign language teaching in China.    

Keywords: English complex sentences, reduced structure, cognitive mechanism, marked structure, the principle of economy

Contents

摘 要

Abstract

Acknowledgements 

Chapter One  Introduction 1

1.1 The rationale 1

1.2 The research questions 2

1.3 The methodology 2

1.3 The organization 3

Chapter Two  Literature Review 4

2.1 Reduced Complex Sentences 4

2.1.1 Definition 4

2.1.2 Classification 5

2.1.3 Development 6

2.2 Theoretical Framework 7

2.2.1 The markedness theory 7

2.2.2 The principle of economy 8

Chapter Three  The Empirical Study 10

3.1 The design 11

3.2 The results 11

Chapter Four  The Mechanism of Reduced Complex Sentences 16

4.1 The markedness theory 16

4.2 The principle of economy 17

Chapter Five  Conclusion 19

5.1 Results and discussion 19

5.2 Suggestions and limitations 20

References 22

Appendix 23