前言:我们精心挑选了数篇优质英文毕业论文文章,供您阅读参考。期待这些文章能为您带来启发,助您在写作的道路上更上一层楼。
摘要:毕业论文是学生积数年习得的知识和学术理念的精华体现,但如今其现状不尽如人意。本文从毕业论文的现状入手,通过调查,分析现状成因,进而反思英文写作课教学并提出其定位。
毕业论文和学位论文通常是有一定长度并有文献资料佐证的学术研究论文,专门对科学领域中的某些问题或现象进行探讨研究,具有科学性和创见性。毕业论文的完成是学生在掌握本专业要求的全部知识、理论和技能的基础上进行综合运用,独立地、创造性地解决理论和实际问题的一项活动,是学生从事独立科研工作的起点,也是展示自己专业水平和科研能力的一次机会。更重要的是,毕业论文写作的优劣是决定学生毕业时可否被授予学士学位的重要依据。因此,毕业论文的写作应当受到高度重视。然而,目前的本科毕业论文质量令人担忧,曾有文章比之为“鸡肋”,意为“弃之可惜,食之无味”。就英语专业毕业论文而言,情况则更应引起重视。
一、论文现状根据教学进度的要求,英语专业的学生在第八学期开学伊始就要准备论文开题报告,从而进入实质性的论文写作过程。下面是在各个环节出现的问题。
1.选题草率,研究方向不确定。学生在选题时不够慎重,没有经过严肃的思考,有的同学仅凭一时兴起就定下题目,如《论佛教在中国的发展》。且不说这个题目大小,其内容本身就已超出专业范围,用英文撰写对本科生也实属力所难逮。还有的同学选题为‘OnReading’,研究方向不确定,泛泛而谈,不知侧重在哪里。虽然从表面上看,有些情况属于个案,但事实上,近几年,题目难以确定的现象越来越多,有的已经导师认可的题目,学生在进行下一步工作之前又有较大改变,甚至改变研究方向。
2.资料收集仓促,时而迷失方向。论文中表达的观点和论点一般是以资料研究为基础的,如果仅凭一两本或几篇文章,就想从中得出令人信服的结论是不可能的,即使得出结论,也没有多大说服力,因为资料太少,不足为证。然而,学生收集资料缺乏系统性,觉得不够用了则难以继续,转而换题,资料跟着题目变,仓促之间,迷失方向不知所措。
3.论文撰写问题重重。撰写论文要对收集到的资料进行阅读、做笔记、研究和整理之后,用自己的语言将其串联起来,说明论点、摆出论据、完成论证。如果只是把收集到的资料堆积在一起,东一段、西一段地拼凑下来,不能称其为论文。而大部分学生恰恰是以堆积为主,自己陈述为辅,论点跟着论据走,缺乏一致性,连贯性和逻辑性。另外,从论文整体的文字上看,资料部分用词专业、准确,句子相对复杂,而学生自己的陈述则语法错误频频出现,句子简单并口语化。
二、现状的成因
1.形势与应试的导向。近几年的扩招使学生数量有所上升,而教师的数量不但基本上没有上升,还有不少人投入国内外的进修学习而不能担任课程。由于课程负担过重,使教师不堪重负而有意无意地忽视了写作课实践环节以及批阅后的反馈。全国统一安排的英语专业四、八级考试合格证已成为评定英语专业水平的重要砝码,在社会和校方的大力关注下,学生认识到四级考试决定毕业证,八级考试关系到找工作,写作课教师也希望学生在写作项目考试中得高分。于是,大部分时间都围绕四、八级考试进行。学生熟悉了框架形式、套路,只注意与过级考试相关的写作形式与技巧,不善于观察生活和知识积累,因此也就谈不上运用所学的知识表达思想、分析问题和解决问题了。
2.写作教材的适用性。我国大学英语专业的写作教学一直缺少一套较为完整,由浅及深,循序渐进,适合现实各个阶段教学需要的教材。基础英语写作教材的范例虽多,但语言过于浅显,有些内容较贴近生活,但实用性和趣味性还有待提高;课后练习多为围绕四、八级考试出题,学生“见多了”正式考题,对此类写作练习,缺乏动力,且练习都未附参考答案,使师生课后没有参阅的标准;毕业论文一章,在二年级开始讲授,引不起学生的共鸣,一来是学生忙于考级,论文不是重点,二来时间尚早,缺乏一个过渡期,无法形成理性认识。
3.学生基本功较差又缺乏实践。学生习惯于让老师灌输词汇句型,不愿意动脑筋积极思考,写出来的东西用词不贴切,语法不规范,行文不顺畅,缺乏逻辑性、无条理。众所周知,写作不仅在于语言文字的组织,更多的功夫在于知识积累和文化素质,这方面的提高对于学生更为重要。然而,待学生忙完了四、八级考试转入论文写作的时候,才发现自己没有做好这方面的准备,无论是题目、提纲还是摘要、引言、参考文献,从形式到内容脑子里一片空白。虽说在之前的写作课上,这些内容都讲过,但当时不是学习重点,而且没有亲自实践过程,学生不知所措,无从下手。
三、英文写作课的定位
1.专时专用,突出目标。将四、八级考试及毕业论文写作分阶段进行,形成层次。在基础英语写作阶段,集中实现两个公认的目标:提高英语写作能力和顺利通过四、八级考试。将教材中传统的写作技巧中的精华部分及增加的课外内容边讲授边加入写作实践,从而更加强调写作的动态过程和学习者创造性的发挥。毕业论文指导要作为一门课程开设,专门讲授学术论文的研究方法,这样不仅为学生的四年学业成就提供展示的机会,而且为将来的学习和工作打下良好的基础。
2.注重实际,精讲多练。有效克服教材的不足,从实际出发,为我所用,可适当放弃一些高深的章节,并增加一些循序渐进的内容,保证稳步提高。针对学生存在的诸多问题,在讲授词汇、语法、句法方面多做有益的练习,尽量找生动、学生易犯的大量的中式英语的例子,使学生在谈笑间能将其错误牢记在心。而大量的练习能给学生留下长久的印象。这样既提高了四、八级成绩,又有助于学生写作能力的提高,更重要的是提升了跨文化交际意识。
3.发动学生,互帮互进。由于教师的精力有限,可适时适量地发动学生互评作业,学生自己能够解决的问题自己解决。同学间同级互评能帮助学生增强读者意识,降低写作焦虑,弥补自己写作中的不足。首先,互评可增加其词汇量,正反两方面的评价有益于所有学生作文水平的提高。其次,学生能够通过讨论互评首先成为一个头脑敏锐、丰富的读者、听众,然后成为一个思路清晰、能写出好文章的作者。
这样,教师不再是作为唯一的“读者”去评判学生的作品。全班同学在教师的帮助下,发现问题并能表达出问题的所在。最终学生对评判自己的作品的内容的表达方面也更加敏锐,并能更好地修正自己的作品,学生会很快地从评判活动中看到益处,也会把大家对自己作品的评价作为提高文章水平的重要的参考资料。其实,这不仅解决了日常教学中的问题,而且培养了学生严谨治学的良好习惯。总而言之,对英语专业毕业论文反映出来的问题要认真研究,其中英文写作课的教学任务极为关键,通过调查研究与实践相结合,不断探索,希望能够提高学生的论文本论文由无忧论文由写作能力。
参考文献:
[1]程杰.合理利用文献[J].广东工业大学学报,2004,06.第四卷增刊:148
在毕业论文中有着起到非常重要作用的就是毕业论文致谢了,那么你们知道毕业论文致谢英文应该怎么撰写吗?下面是学术参考网小编为朋友们搜集整理的毕业论文致谢英文,希望可以帮到你~
Acknowledgements
MydeepestgratitudegoesfirstandforemosttoProfessoraaa,mysupervisor,forherconstantencouragementandguidance.Shehaswalkedmethroughallthestagesofthewritingofthisthesis.Withoutherconsistentandilluminatinginstruction,thisthesiscouldnothavereacheditspresentform.
Second,IwouldliketoexpressmyheartfeltgratitudetoProfessoraaa,wholedmeintotheworldoftranslation.IamalsogreatlyindebtedtotheprofessorsandteachersattheDepartmentofEnglish:Professordddd,Professorssss,whohaveinstructedandhelpedmealotinthepasttwoyears.
Lastmythankswouldgotomybelovedfamilyfortheirlovingconsiderationsandgreatconfidenceinmeallthroughtheseyears.Ialsoowemysinceregratitudetomyfriendsandmyfellowclassmateswhogavemetheirhelpandtimeinlisteningtomeandhelpingmeworkoutmyproblemsduringthedifficultcourseofthethesis
英语专业毕业论文致谢词
Acknowledgements
MydeepestgratitudegoesfirstandforemosttoProfessoraaa,mysupervisor,forherconstantencouragementandguidance.Shehaswalkedmethroughallthestagesofthewritingofthisthesis.Withoutherconsistentandilluminatinginstruction,thisthesiscouldnothavereacheditspresentform.
2. Current situation and features of company website translation 2
2.1 Current situation of company website translation 2
2.2 Samples of famous foreign company website 3
2.3 Features of company website translation 4
3. The skopos theory and company website translation 6
3.1 Introduction of Skopos theory 6
3.2 The wrong types of translation from the perspective of Skopos 8
3.2.1 Functional translation errors 8
3.2.2 Liguistic translation errors 9
3.2.3 Cultural translation errors 10
4. Analyses of website translation of foreign trade company in Zhejiang province 13
4.1 Functional translation errors 13
4.1.1 Problem of length 13
4.1.2 Problem rooted from different thought pattern 15
4.2 Liguistic translation errors 16
4.2.1 Spelling errors 16
4.2.2 Improper use of punctuation 17
4.2.3 Incorrect word translation 17
4.2.4 Illogical arrangment 18
4.3 Cultural translation errors 19
5. Conclusion 20
Acknowledgements 21
References 22
1.Introduction
Thanks to the ongoing economic reform and opening-up and the irresistible trend of globalization, China’s communication with the world has been intensified in recent years. Though almost every company which deal with the foreign trade owns his English version website, the overall situation of the C-E translation of Chinese company website is far from satisfactory that leave a lot of work to do. For the present, most of the work are based on the rule of skopos theory which we will investigate later.
And with the popularity and applications of the Internet, the company website plays an increasing important role in foreign exchange, outreach, and the absorb foreign capital[2]. Although nowadays most domestic enterprises have set up their own websites and e-commerce platform, many export-oriented enterprises is established in English, the site has become a propaganda of the enterprise, an effective channel to promote company products. However, there is no difficulty in finding errors comparing the domestic foreign trade company website to the foreign company website. Some mistakes are even too much to bear. In recent years, there appears a large number of discussion on website translation, start from Skopos basis direction, and have a lot of research fruits on the problem of company website mistranslation. But for the relatively small corporate company website translation, it had not been given sufficient attention and standardized management, error-prone web site translation directly affect a company’s image.
2. Current situation and features of company website translation
In the world today, global and regional cooperation is in full swing and countries are increasingly interdependent. Company website provide a quick and convenient access to the general understanding of what a Chinese company is like, thus serving as bridges that enable business people from different countries with different cultural backgrounds to have a better understanding of each other. In fact, as a specialized and important area of translation, the translation of company profiles has its own features and particular communicative functions which deserve an in-depth and systematic study.
2.1 Current situation of company website translation
Foreign propaganda in the business text, Chinese text use more modifiers which using rhyme, parallelism, words with other parties type the text in order to increase the beauty, attract potential customers and clients. Many translators often find it difficult, even if be translated, also bite the bullet and let the readers of English-speaking find it difficult to understand. Company’s publicity text translation is accurate for the purpose of translation about business, product-related information. So prominent is the informational translation, first principle focus on the information, and others such as style, rhetoric and so on is secondary to bit. If translate directly, the text will cause a pile, information duplication, not meet the English language of expression. On the basis of Skopos principles, the translator should cut the original text appropriately in order for information receiver better understanding the text.
Different from other text types, a company profile is a special kind of text with particular purposes and functions. The translation purpose of company profiles is to enable more foreigners to know more about Chinese companies, thus achieving international recognition and establishing the credibility of the company and its products. In order to achieve these purposes and functions, more attention should be paid to target readers who have different cultural backgrounds in the company profile translation. According to skopostheorie, a translation action is determined by its Skopos and the end justifies the means. That means the purpose of translation determines the translation methods and strategies that are to be employed in order to produce a functionally adequate result. Therefore, in the C-E translation of company profiles, translators should adhere to Skopos rule, coherence rule and fidelity rule and it is applicable for them to adopt a TT-oriented or reader-centered translation strategy.
However, many translators in this field tend to neglect the translation purpose of company profiles. As a result, linguistic and cultural problems still exist and obstruct the achievement of the Skopos of company profiles. Enlightened by the functionalist approach, the thesis also conducts a comprehensive survey as to the readability and acceptability of the target text[6]. It is found that foreign people do not respond positively to the English translation of Chinese company profiles. These problems or errors adversely affect the quality of translation. Primarily under the guidance of the functionalist skopostheorie, the thesis puts forward a set of guiding principles for the C-E translation of company profiles, that is, idiomatic, comprehensible, and acceptable. By analyzing authentic examples, the study also justifies someappropriate strategies such as addition, abridgement and restructuring. A conclusion can be drawn that it is feasible to guide the C-E translation of company profiles in the light of the functionalist approach, particularly skopostheorie. In the translation process, the translator is expected to bear in mind the intended function of the target text and produce a version that is comprehensible and acceptable to the target reader. Due to great linguistic and cultural differences, the translation process usually involves considerable adjustments or adaptations of the source text in order to achieve the intended function of the target text.
Hopefully, the principles and strategies proposed in this study would be of some value to the C-E translation of company profiles as well as other public materials.
2.2 Samples of famous foreign website
There are a lot of famous company on the list of top 500 in the world, after searching for their company, not difficult in finding a lot of features in common about their web page design. The followings are classic samples.
Example[1]: In 1886, Coca-Cola® brought refreshment to patrons of a small Atlanta pharmacy. Now well into its second century, the Company's goal is to provide magic every time someone drinks one of its more than 400 brands. Coca-Cola has fans from Boston to Budapest to Bahrain, drinking brands such as Ambasa, Vegitabeta and Frescolita. In the remotest comers of the globe, you can still find Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola is committed to local markets, paying attention to what people from different cultures and backgrounds like to drink, and where and how they want to drink it. With its bottling partners, the Company reaches out to the local communities it serves, believing that Coca-Cola exists to benefit and refresh everyone it touches.
(heritage.coca-cola.com/)
Example[2]: Software is a leading online portal for software products, with free downloads and expert software reviews to help you make an informed choice. We list thousands of discounted software products with prices that are almost always the lowest available in the country. We also list a huge selection of free downloads so you can try software free before you decide to buy.
The Software.com store features the the software industry’s leading publishers, including Microsoft, Intuit, Symantec, Adobe, Nuance and hundreds of others. Our software store provides users with rich resources including thousands of user reviews, articles, and product comparison charts.
Software.com employs a team of industry experts with over 40 years of combined experience in online software distribution. Our goal is to bring you the best range of world-leading software, at the best prices, with rich reviews and product information so you can choose the software that is right for you. (software.com/about/)
As we can see from these samples, the foreign company websites are more functional and focus more on introdu cing products, and the purpose are much stronger and prominent. This is exactly what our company website is lack of, for we always put more words in describing company history and prior tradition, but lack of products introduction and special users attraction.
2.3 Features of company website translation
First of all, company website translation profile depends more on the skopos rules. Different from other text types, a company website profile is a special kind of text with particular purposes and functions. The translation purpose of company website profiles is to enable more foreigners to know more about Chinese companies, thus achieving international recognition and establishing the credibility of the company and its products. In order to achieve these purposes and functions, more attention should be paid to target readers who have different cultural backgrounds in the company profile translation. According to skopostheorie, a translation action is determined by its Skopos and the end justifies the means. That means the purpose of translation determines the translation methods and strategies that are to be employed in order to produce a functionally adequate result. Therefore, in the C-E translation of company profiles, translators should adhere to Skopos rule, coherence rule and fidelity rule and it is applicable for them to adopt a TT-oriented or reader-centered translation strategy.
Secondly, primarily under the guidance of the functionalist Skopostheorie, the thesis puts forward a set of guiding principles for the C-E translation of company profiles, that is, idiomatic, comprehensible, and acceptable. By analysis authentic examples, the study also justifies some appropriate strategies such as addition, abridgement and restructuring. A conclusion can be drawn that it is feasible to guide the C-E translation of company profiles in the light of the functionalist approach, particularly skopostheorie. In the translation process, the translator is expected to bear in mind the intended function of the target text and produce a version that is comprehensible and acceptable to the target reader. Due to great linguistic and cultural differences, the translation process usually involves considerable adjustments or adaptations of the source text in order to achieve the intended function of the target text.
Hopefully, the principles and strategies proposed in this study would be of some value to the C-E translation of company profiles as well as other publicity materials.
At last, defined as the measure of all things in translation by Reiss, the ST is regarded by Vermeer as merely an “offer of information” which can be partly or wholly transmitted for the target audience, leaving its status much lower in skopostherie than in equivalence-based theories. And it is the purpose of the translation that determines what to translate, how much to translate and what strategies to employ in specific situations. For this reason, in C-E translation of company website, any translation strategy can be adopted provided it is effective in publicizing the company in the target culture and expanding its business there. The translator needs to serve as “cultural filtering”, which means making adjustments to the structure and style of the source text by addition, deletion and rewriting. In this section, different successful translation techniques applicable to company profile translation in light of skopostheorie will be explored.
3. The Skopos theory and company website translation
A company website is a particular communicative message that an organization wants to deliver to a particular audience. It is essentially “a résumé” presenting an image of a particular company, aiming to “establish the credibility with the market the company serves” . Klein also argues that a company website provides insight about a company to its customers and prospects; potential employees and partners view it to evaluate whether or not it is the kind of company they’d like to work with. Generally speaking, a well-written company website contains the company’s founders, product range or service that a company offers, major stockholders, members of the board, address, telephone and fax numbers, website, and other vital information. Some website include their history and significant achievements they have made through the years. This thesis defines a company profile in a narrow sense and refers to a company introduction since introductory remarks head all the other subdirectory items and are of the most representative characteristics. The samples employed in this thesis include brochures and materials from the Internet and cover a great variety of b usiness fields such as banks, hotels, automobiles, medicine, wine, household electrical appliances, tobacco, and sports goods.
3.1 Introduction of skopos theory
The Skopos theory is an important functionalist theory of translation that was developed in Germany in the 1970s. It reflects “a general shift from predominantly linguistic and rather formal translation theories to a more functionally and socioculturally oriented concept of translation” [8]235. It greatly widens the research field of translation and puts translation researches in the framework of cross-cultural communication, instead of the narrow framework of source and target texts or the transmission between two languages. The Skopos theory draws inspiration from communication theory, action theory, text linguistics and text theory, and also from movements in literary studies toward reception theories. It is regarded as the core of German functionalism.
Hans Vermeer who proposed the Skopos theory gives his own definition of translation from a unique perspective that translation is a “purposeful action”. In the Skopos theory, translation is basically a type of communication. In other words, translation is a type of human action. Since action is the process of acting, which means “intentionally(at will)bringing about or preventing a change in the world (in nature), and thus can be defined as an intentional change or transition from one state of affairs to another” 18. Based on this belief, Vermeer put forward his translation principles, including the Skopos rule ad the guiding principle, and the coherence and the fidelity rule as subordinate principles.
It requires that a good translation be:
[1] pragmatic, accounting for the situational conditions of communicative interaction and, accordingly, for the needs and expectations of the addressees of the target text and even making the receiver the most important yardstick of translational decisions;
[2] culture-oriented, giving consideration to the culture-specific forms of verbal and nonverbal behaviour involved in translation;
[3] consistent, able to show the translator’s decisions in any type or form of translation task and make the target text a functional one;
[4] practical, accounting all the forms of transcultural communication needed;
[5] normative, displaying the translator’s particular purpose;
[6] comprehensive, the communicative effects of a target text being equivalent to those of the source text;
.
3.2 The wrong types of translation from the perspective of Skopos theory
During the information exchanging, Chinese companies have to provide effective company website profile linguistically and culturally acceptable to their target readers. Consequently, the English translation of Chinese company website plays a significant role in ensuring a successful communication with the outside world. Yet the overall situation of the C-E translation of Chinese company profiles is far from satisfactory. From the perspective of Skopostheorie, “if the purpose of a translation is to achieve a particular function for the target addressee, anything that obstructs the achievement of this purpose is a translation error” [9]74. Thus, to decide whether a piece of translation is a translation error or not is neither to see whether the translation is grammatically correct or not, nor to see whether the translation is loyal to the meaning of the source text. Instead, it should depend on whether the translation has achieved the intended purpose of the original work. As far as the C-E translation of company profiles is concerned, major problems and errors result from the ignorance of linguistic and cultural differences. The common errors in the C-E translation can be roughly classified into two categories: functional translation errors, linguistic tr anslation errors and cultural translation errors.
3.2.1 Functional translation errors
Functional inadequacies occur in four ways. They may be pragmatic translation errors, which are the result of “inadequate solutions to pragmatic translation problems such as lack of receiver orientation”. Secondly, they may be cultural translation errors, which are “due to an inadequate decision with regard to reproduction or adaptation of culture-specific conventions”. Thirdly, they may be linguistic translation errors, which are “caused by an inadequate translation when the focus is on language structures”. Fourthly, and finally, they may be text-specific translation errors, which are “related to a text-specific translation problem and, like the corresponding translation problems, can usually be evaluated from a functional or pragmatic point of view” 76 .
Function refers to the factors which make the text work in the intended way in the target situation. Loyalty refers to the interpersonal relationship between the translator, the source-text sender, the target-text addresses and the initiator. Loyalty limits the range of justifiable target-text functions for one particular source text and raises the need for a negotiation of the translation assignment between translators and their clients[11]126.
The claim that a variety of strategies, often moving away from the linguistic surface of the source text, are necessary to produce a functional target text gives a more grounded precision to the claims of Goldblatt and Raffel. Nord’s argument helps us to understand that these strategies are not to be considered shortcomings or inadequacies, reluctantly accepted as abstract “poetry” but never as “scholarship” – they are deliberate and intelligent forms of both creativity and fidelity. Indeed they are the inevitable, different paths that translators must follow if they wish to create new texts based on their appropriately functional readings of the source-text. (Scholars, to paraphrase Raffel, are then entitled to translations as much as poets – but because their needs are different, they each require a different sort of translation.) If these strategies of non-equivalence are to be considered “mistakes” at all then they are, in a paradoxical way, “deliberate mistakes”, intentionally undertaken in order to recreate the text in a way that deviates from the literal surface meaning of the source text so as to represent its other, deeper, features. Other errors, or “mistakes”, which are the result of our intentions being neither adequate nor appropriate, might be considered, in contrast, to be “foolish mistakes”, the product of ignorance but not of maliciousness. And ignorance can be overcome by “an adequate level of language and culture proficiency”.
3.2.2 Lingustic translation errors
Linguistic translation errors are at the basic level among the four types of errors mentioned above. They usually stem from an incompetent translator’s poor command of the target language. Unfamiliar with the target language norms and conventions, an unqualified translator would make all kinds of errors, which range from levis (spelling and choice of words), semantics (meaning the source text intends to convey) to syntax (grammatical sentences and structure). Hence the translated text cannot be fully understood by the foreign audience. For example,“拳头产品”has been translated literally as “fist product”. In Chinese,“拳头产品” indicates that the product sells well in the market and it is regarded as a brand name. The counterpart “fist” in English, however, just means the hand when closed tightly with the fingers bent into the palm, which cannot convey the original meaning. It would be better to be translated as “knockout product”, “hard-punch product”or“product with a competitive edge” [12].
Example[3]: 三十年纺织品和服装出口经验,质量第一,信誉第一,友情第一,重合同,守信用,始终如一。(ex.cn)
Original version:Thirty years’experience of textiles and garments export.Quality the best.Reputation and friendship the foremost. Always abide by contacts and credibility.
Revised version:The rendering in this example is a typical word-for-word one, let alone the grammatical mistake in the last sentence “Always abide by contacts and credibility”. The deliberate faithfulness of its sentence structure actually results in sen tence fragments in English, which are far from emotionally appealing to the English readers. Such redundant syntactic structure will surely confuse the target readers.
Example[4]: 集“中国驰名商标”、“中国名牌”、“国家免检产品”和“国家出口商品免验”等荣誉于一身的特步(中国)有限公司,位于福建省泉州市经济技术开发区。(xtep.com.cn/)
Original version:Xtep(China)co.,ltd.,honored with China's famous and popular brand, China's famous brand, products exempt from inspection and export products exempt from inspection; which locates in Quanzhou Economic and Technological Development zone. After correcting the grammatical errors in this version,an improved version could be:
Revised version:Xtep(China)Co., Ltd.,winning honors like “China’s famous and popular brand”, “China’s famous brand”, “inspection-exempt products” and “inspection-exempt products for export”, which is located in Quanzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone.
3.2.3 Clutural translation errors
What does the word “culture” mean?As we have seen, culture is ubiquitous, multidimensional, complex and all-pervasive. Though there has been a century of efforts to define culture by scholars from different points of view, an agreement has so far not been reached[13]. The definition of culture seems simple but complex in reality. It covers aspects of everyday life to cognitive and social structure. And it refers to communities that have different attitudes toward political and social issues, different cultural practices and references in their private lives, different social backgrounds, etc.
In 1871, in his classic book Primitive Culture, British anthropologist Edward Tylor first gave the definition of culture which is widely quoted :“culture...is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, custom and any other capacities and habits acquired by man as a member of society” [13]. This definition is far from complete and vague to some extent because it only stressed the spiritual part of culture, but has neglected its material basis without which culture is an impossibility.
Translation and culture are closely related to each other. Translation is a cross-cultural communication. Various scholars have elaborated on the relationship between culture and translation.
Toury holds that translation is a kind of activity which inevitably involves at least two languages and two cultural conditions48.
In order to achieve the expected purpose of the C-E translation of company profiles, it is particularly important to know the role of culture in the C-E translation of company profiles. First of all, culture affects the selection of company profiles. In order to carter for the target readers, the initiators have to select materials that characterize the Chinese culture and are acceptable in the target cultural system. Secondly, culture affects the acceptability of translations in the target culture[18]. Because of the cultural differences, what is appreciated in one culture may not be acceptable in another culture differences, what is appreciated in on culture may not be acceptable in another culture. Thirdly, culture also affects the approaches to be adopted in the translation process. For different translation purposes, people may resort to different apporaches to solve cultural clashes.
Chinese and western cultures differ greatly in their historical development, geographical locations, customs, conventions, religious beliefs and aesthetics,which have a great impact on cross-cultural communication.According to Skopostheorie, a cultural translation error occurs when something in the translation doesn't conform to the norms and conventions in the target culture. Cultural transla tion mistakes or errors, though very covert, cause a lot of hideous barriers in the cross-cultural communication.
As has been mentioned above, what is appreciated in the Chinese culture may be unacceptable in the English culture due to the cultural differences. For example, we have always prided ourselves as“龙的传人”, which is literally translated as“descendants of the dragon”. However, the Chinese word“龙” in the Chinese culture is not equivalent to the “dragon” in the western culture. Though both of them are legendary animals, their images and connotations are quite different. In the Chinese culture, the image of “龙” has undergone a series of changes before it takes its present form. It has the combined features of a number of animals—a reptile-like animal with a scaled body and claws, which can not only crawl, but also swim and fly. It is the symbol of the Chinese nation and the Chinese national spirit. It represents power, supremacy and auspice. In feudal China, emperors were compared to dragons. But in the western legends, dragon is a huge lizard with wings, scales and a long snake-like tail. It can spit fire. Dragon in the western culture is the symbol of evil[19]. So if the phrase“以外贸企业为龙头” is translated into English as “with foreign trade firms as the dragon’s head”, the foreigners will feel awful when they read the translation. It will be acceptable when it is translated as“with foreign trade firms as the locomotive(or flagship)”.
Besides, English company profiles emphasize simplicity, individuality and substantiality, while Chinese ones stress elegance, uniformity, and authority. For this reason, the author of this present paper suggests that to realize intended commercial purpose, translators should avoid literally translating four-character phraseology into English because foreign consumers may show their doubts at the first sight of these patterns:“Who knows?” as shown in the following examples.
Example[5]: 该厂能生产大衣、西装、时装、衬衣、毛衣等不同类型服装用的上千个花色品种的纽扣,产品规格齐全,品种繁多,造型新颖。(lxbutton.com/)
Original version:The factory can produce thousands of type of buttons for coats, suits, fashions, shirts and sweaters. They have complete ranges of specification and various types and are novel in shape.
Revised version:The factory can produce various new types of buttons in thousands of different designs for coat, suits, fashions, shirts and sweaters.
It seems that the modifications in the second English version not only successfully achieve commercial effect but also makes the content more succinct. Hence, a translator should always bear in mind that cultural comparison is a “must” in the translation process. Without comparisons of the two cultural systems, successful translation would not be possible.
4. Analyses of website translation of foreign trade company in Zhejiang province
There are many famous foreign trade companies in Zhejiang province, almost every company owns its English version website profile which focus to attract foreign business partners around the world. But owing to the different levels of translators who work as the company website translation, there exists a big difference in the quality of website translation, some even cause serious problem which make foreign trade partner confused about the compani's business and even products' function. So it is very important for translators of company website to follow some principles while dealing with the translation work.
4.1 Functional translation errors
4.1.1 Problem of length
The main reason for the too long translation is the profile of the translation focus too much on faith, but neglect removing or simplifying the useless information for audience. In accordance with the “Skopos rule”, the purpose of translation decides the behaviour of translation work. The translators should add, adjust or predigest the original work depending on the purpose of the translation.some of the original target information is out of communicative value which will make the translation empty, trash-talking and even affecting the information transforming.
Example [6]: 进入新世纪后,娃哈哈已拥有了雄厚的产品自主研发能力和技术创新能力,在雄厚的资金保障下,通过引进国际最先进的生产设备技术,进行消化、吸收、再创新,使公司拥有强大的核心竞争能力。同时,通过自主开发营养快线等系列创新产品,广开销路,实现科学发展,行业龙头地位日益稳固。目前,娃哈哈正在不断扩大投资规模,不断自主创新,向着世界500强企业的目标阔步前进!(划线部分为错误点)(wahaha.com.cn/aboutus/history/)
Original version: The third time milestone development: entering the new era, Wahaha cultivated the dependent R&D ability and the technology innovation ability. Secured by abundant capital, we adopted the international advanced equipment technology with absorption and d igestion, making sure that Wahaha keeps the core competitive edge. We also developed the popular products like Nutrition Express to sustain the scientific development, stabilizing our leading position. Currently, Wahaha keeps further investment and constant innovation, aiming for becoming the world Top 500 enterprises.
We can find that some information in the Chinese version is useless and redundant,“消化、吸收、再创新”,“自主研发能力和技术创新能力”they all means innovation.so we can simplify the version into:
Revised version: Entering the new era, Wahaha cultivated the ability of innovation and R&D with abundant capital, we adopted the international advanced equipment with renew ability, making Wahaha keep the core competitive edge. At the same time, we have developed the popular products like Nutrition Express to sustain the scientific development, stabilize our leading position. Currently, Whaha keeps investment and innovation for becoming the world top 500 enterprises。
Example [7]: 东方机械位于风景秀丽、物产丰富、经济发达、文化繁荣,素有江南“鱼米、皮革之乡”美称的钱塘江畔。(hua-jia .com/s1.htm)
Original version: Our factory is located in Dingqiao Town by the Qiantang River where is famed as"The Home of fish,Rice and Leather",with beautiful scenery,rich products,flourishing economy and prosperous culture.
Revised version: “...located at Dingqiao Town by the Qingtang river, our company specialized in the production of ... ”(we can just delete the underlined part)
Example [8]: 2003年初,公司为满足国内市场对专用车的需要,及时调整产品结构并成立的专用车公司,在做稳、做强客车的同时,投巨资实施专用车项目,精心打造有洛阳宇通特色的专用车产品,本着“低端切人、高端占领”的原则,经过精心筹备,四大系列产品即混凝土搅拌车系列、散装水泥车系列、加油车系列、洒水车系列一经投放市场,便以其全新的设计、优美的造型、细腻的工艺赢得了市场的青睐。(lyyt.com/t9/index.asp)
Original version: In the early of 2003, in order to meet the demands for special-purpose car in domestic market, we adjusted our product's structure and set up a new department dealing with special purpose car. While steadying and strengthening the production of passenger car, we invest large amounts of money in special-purpose car to carefully make this kind of products with vivid Luoyang Yutong characteristics. With the principle of cutting in from the low end and taking possession at the high end, our four series of products were put into market in April of 2003 after careful preparation. They are dowser series, water cart series, bulk cement vehicle series and concrete-mixing vehicle series. The products win for their new designation, exquisite molding and technique.
Revised version: In addition to its wonderful performance in the sector of passenger cars, Luoyang Yutong Automobile co., Ltd. Moved forward with an aggressive campaign to stay at the forefront of transportation. In the early of 2003, we set up a new sector to manufacture special-purpose vehicles including fuel trucks, spraying cars, bulk cement trucks and concrete-mixing trucks which are tailored to the needs of Chinese market. They gained excellent reputation for their original design and state-of-the-art technics among clients as soon as they were put into market in April of the same years.
4.1.2 Problem rooted from different thought pattern
In the functionalist perspective, the purpose of a translation is to achieve a particular function for the target address, and anything that prevents the achievement of this purpose in considered as a translation error. This means that a particular expression or utterance is not inadequate in itself; it only becomes inadequate with regard to the communicative function it was expected to achieve. Furthermore, Nord classifies the translation errors into four categories: pragmatic, cultural, linguistic and text-specific ones[9]. Study of the small corpus shows those translation errors in the translated corporate website are mainly linguistic and cultural. In the following parts, the author is to demonstrate the problems common to nearly all the sample texts, with suggested solutions thereafter.
Example [9]: 引进大量的科技管理人才,成立“真爱集团人才联谊会” 形成“重知识,重人才” 的良好气氛。(truelovegroup.com/english/about/about.asp)
Original version: To form well atmosphere “esteem acknowledge, esteem intellect”, truelove employed a mess of technology and management persons and set up “truelove group talent sociality”.
Revised version: To form well atmosphere “respect knowledge and talents”, Truelove employed talents and set up “Truelove talents Union”.
Example [10]:
(1)医德医风
Medical ethics
(2)全体员工精诚团结,上下一心
All the staffs unite absolute sincerity
(3)上有上策,下有下策,有令不行,有禁不止。
Disobey orders and defy prohibition.
In these translations repetitions have been talked carefully.The Word “ethics” contains the meaning of both“德”and“风”. The Chinese“精诚团结”and“上下一心” which have the same meaning are translated into “unite in absolute sincerity.” As with these, the third English sentence fully renders the Chinese version whose second part means the same as the first one.
Let's quote example (2) as another example of this strategy. Taking a look at the underlined parts, we find the Chinese phrase“进入饭店” has not been translated. The English version “Hong Kong Peninsula Hotel Management Group introduced us ...” is clear and sufficient to express the meaning of “进入饭店,带来…”. If we translate it in the word-for-word way “as entered the hotel and brought...”, the TT readers in English cultures will be confused. Thus, leaving out tautological words is one of the communicative methods in translating to realize the purpose of the TT. More specifically, this translation is a compliance with coherence rule rather than the fidelity rule.
4.2 Linguistic translation errors
A linguistic translation error is at the most basic level among the types of errors mentioned above. They usually stem from an incompetent translator's poor command of the language. Unfamiliar with the language norms and conventions, an unqualified translator would make all kinds of mistakes, which range from lexis (spelling and choice of words), syntax (grammatical sentence and structure) and semantics (meaning that the source text intends to convey).
4.2.1 Spelling errors
Example [11]: 本公司始终坚持以“质量为本,科技创新,优质服务,环保产品”为发展宗旨。(chinacgic.com/company.asp)
Original version: Our company has all along been adhering to such a development philosophy: quality basis, technological innovation, high-quality service and environment-friendly products.
Revised version:our company has all along been adhering to such a developing idea: quality basis, technological innovation, high-quality service and environment-friendly products.
Example [12]:“成功电子” 以拥有您的支持而自豪,并有信心通过我们不断的努力使您以使用“成功电子” 产品而骄傲。(chinacgic.com/)
Original version: Success Electronics is proud for having your support and convinced that our constant efforts can make you proud of using our products.
Revised verion: Success Electronic is proud for having your support and it convince that our constant efforts can make you proud of using our products.
4.2.2 Improper use of punctuation
Example[13]: 公司自创办以来,不断扩大规模,更新产品的种类。欢迎各中外客商前来共创商机! (rx-china.com/)
Original version: The company spread dimensions at once. sincerely welcomes its friends to have business negotiation, cooperate with them and jointly make great achievement.
Revised version: Since the establishment of our company we have always been expanding our industrial scale and adding new ranges to our production line. Now we warmly welcome our customers, both at home and abroad, to come together and enjoy better business opportunities!
Example [14]: 本公司经营的产品广泛用于通讯设备、家用电器、仪器仪表、数码产品行业、电子玩具以及工业自动化设备等各种领域, 在电子行业有很高的声誉。(zszyss.com/)
Original version: The product of company’s operation is used in the various fields such as communication equipment, electric home appliances, instrument appearance, digital product profession, electronictoy as well as industrial automatic equipment extensively, we have very high reputation on electronic profession.
Revised version: The products we deal in are widely used in such areas as communication, household electrical appliances, instruments and meters, digital products, electric toys and industrial automatic equipment. Our company enjoys a high reputation in the line of electronic.
4.2.3 Incorrect word translation
Example [15]: 本公司近年致力弘扬、推广中华优秀传统文化和与之相结合的高新科技。2002年起被中央有关部门指定为外交部国礼系列图书国内外主要发行单位之一。(zylp.com/)
Original version: This company recent years devoted to bring honor to , to promote the China outstanding traditional culture and high speed science which unified with it. In 2002 is assigned by the central department concerned one of for country cash as a present book domestic and foreign main release units .
Revised version: We have been carrying forward and popularizing traditional Chinese culture combined with newly developed high-tech. In 2002, our company was appointed to be one of the authorized publishers of series of golden books as official gifts for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Example [16]: 百果园占地面积20 亩,花园式布局,生产车间4800m²,设有原料、粗加工、成品、包装、冷藏、锅炉等生产车间。(baiguoyuan.com.cn/)
Original version: Baiguoyuan is like a garden it cone ns an area of zomu, with 3400 sguan meters work shop, including material storage workshop , naw processing workshop, finshed produet workshop, packing workshop, cold stonage workshop and boilen workshop.
Revised version: Baiguoyuan, a well laid out garden-like enterprise, covers an area of 20 mu, and owns a production department of 4800 square meters including workshops handling materials, rough processing, finished goods, packing, refrigerating and a boiler room.
4.2.4 Illogical arrangement
Illogical arrangement is primarily coordinated at the incorrectly translation of an individual expression or sentence's elements which cause incoherent and misunderstanding.
Example [17]:(本单位)成立于1988年,是经国家建设部批准,专业从事地基与基础工程施工的壹级企业。(richelevator.com/hz/)
Original version:We are the stair enterp rise professioned on construction of groundwork and base engineering approved by national construction department founded in 1988.
Revised version: Our company, with the approval of Ministry of Construction, was established in 1988 and we are now a first grade enterprise specializing in the construction of groundwork and foundational engineering.
Example [18]: 公司非常重视对员工队伍素质的培训工作,专门成立了人力资源部,对员工进行操作技术、专业技能、安全生产、市场意识、产品质量等方面的培训。(chinacgic.com/)
Original version: The company emphasize on training for the staff, specialize to establish HR department, train manipulating technique, specialty skill, safe producing, market apperceiving, product quality and the other side training.
Revised version:We put emphasis on training our working staff and specially set up a human resources department for the purpose of guiding our staff members to master new operating techniques, professional skills, safety in production, marketing strategies and quality control.
4.3 Cultural translation errors
When preparing an English version of the corporate profile, the Chinese companies tend to translate literally the existing Chinese language, regardless of the fact that different addressees require an adjustment of the relationship between the explicit and implicit information in the target text and that the target cultural conventions should be given priority.
Example[19]: 公司于2000年顺利通过ISO9001: 2000版国际质量体系认证,形成了一套完整的质量保障体系,2002年11月被中国轻工业质量认证中心授予 “环保陶瓷”称号。(.cn/)
Original version:the company passed ISO9001:2000 International Quality System Certification in 2000, and has established a complete quality assurance system. It was awarded as “Environmental friendly ceramics”.
In this short paragraph, the company exhibits four honorary titles: ISO9001:2000版国际质量体系认证,“环保陶瓷” without further explaining what the awards are about, what requirements should be met to win each and how this company is qualified to receive the glories. For people who are familiar with the awarding system, this information is able to serve as a strong support for the qualification of company. However, the westerners are probably not so moved by these titles. Questions may haunt the readers, such as “what is the evaluation standard of the award?” “how often is the award granted?” “how many enterprises can get award in each season?” in other words, only when the information becomes convincing enough can the foreigners acknowledge the qualification of the company.
5.Conclusion
It should have been a progress for the development of the Chinese enterprises since the bilingual corporate websites open a new channel for them to present themselves to the world; however, in the analysis of the translated company introductions, the author observes quite a number of errors and problems prevailing the target text, which can hardly help achieve the function of the source text, only to ruin the image of the company. After all, a company with a poor English introduction can hardly convince the potential customers of the top-quality claim of the product and service therein. Delving into the translated corporate profiles, the author finds out that as far as the translation of the Chinese corporate profiles is concerned, Chinese companies still have a long way to go.
In this light, the paper analyses the language, cultural-specific terms and discourse of the translated corporate website translation, locates common errors and proposes some methods for better communication with the international audience.
However, as nearly all the cooperate profiles are translated literally in the process, even if the linguistic and cultural errors are corrected the target texts still appear awkward in the whole text and fail to become fluent English. In other words, any corrections made in the English sentences do not solve the problem and cannot ensure a functionally satisfactory reaction from the audience.
Guo Jianzhong says the translation of pragmatic texts is an art of re-expression based on writing techniques. It holds true to the company introduction, which is tattooed to translate according to the source text’s diction and structure. What the translators need to do is to adapt to or rewrite the source text before translating. Though the English may be not literally correspondent with the original source text, the meaning of the content and stylistic features retain. As a result, the communication carries out successfully and the function is fulfilled.
Acknowledgements
My initial thanks go to my supervisor Yang Xue, who patiently supervised my dissertation and was at times very willing to offer me illuminating advice or suggestions. Without her help, I could not have finished this dissertation.
I am also indebted to other teachers and my classmates who have not only offered me their warm encouragements but also shared with me their ideas and books. They are Zhang Lan, Zhu Ming, Wu Xiaoyun, and many others.
My greatest personal debt is to my parents, who have cultivated a soul of sensitivity, hospitality, and honesty out of me, and offered a harbor of happiness and sweetness for me.
The remaining weakness and possible errors of the dissertation are entirely my own.
References
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诚 信 承 诺
我谨在此承诺:本人所写的毕业论文《外贸公司网站英译研究之目的论视角》均系本人独立完成,没有抄袭行为,凡涉及其他作者的观点和材料,均作了注释,若有不实,后果由本人承担。
1.1 Background of this study 1
1.2 The current situation in oral English learning of non-English major students 1
1.3 Overview of the development of web-based study at home 2
1.4 The significance of the study 2
2. Literature Review 4
2.1 Definition of learning strategies 4
2.2 Classification of learning strategies 5
2.3 Studies on speaking learning strategies 6
2.4 Factors of influencing the choice of speaking learning strategies 8
3. The methodology 10
3.1 The subjects 10
3.2 Instruments 10
3.3 Data collection 11
3.4 Data analysis 11
4. Results and discussion 16
4.1 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies 16
4.2 Frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies. 16
4.3 Differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors 17
5. Conclusion 19
Acknowledgements 20
References 21
Appendices 23
1. Introduction
In this part, four sections are included. There are background of this study, the current situation in oral English learning of non-English major students, overview of the Internet development in China and the significance of the study.
1.1 Background of this study
With the fast development of society and the increasing openness to the world, the demands to communicate in English have been expanded to a large degree. College students are required to have a good competence in speaking before entering the society. But the fact is that the actual competence of college students in speaking is far from being satisfactory. It is necessary for us to improve the awareness of using strategies.
In the field of language learning and teaching over the last few decades, a prominent shift has taken place, resulting in great emphasis on learners and learning rather than teachers and teaching. The study of learning strategies has seen an “explosion of activity”. [1]105 In recent years although the history of research into speaking learning strategies is not very long, the study on speaking learning strategies can provide students with valuable suggestions on how to improve oral English in terms of accuracy, fluency, and complexity. Almost 15 researchers abroad have studied on speaking learning strategies. In China, Huang Xiaohua and Chen Sijin have done a great contribution to studies on speaking leaning strategies.
Nowadays, the development of computer science and technology and the prevalence of networks have deeply influenced people’s life, also the language study. However, there are still few researches on the web-based speaking learning strategies. The thesis attempts to make a study on web-based speaking learning strategies.
1.2 The current situation in oral English learning of non-English major students
In China, the teaching of English as a foreign language has been greatly influenced by the traditional education system. The traditional way still pay much attention to the examinations in schools, including colleges and universities either, rather than the application of language. Linguistic form is always the focus of both textbooks and language tests. Besides, under this model, one teacher is always in charge of many students in one class, so the teacher becomes the center of the class and there is little chance for the students to practice oral English. The English language learning is seen as a “knowledge-imparting” process and the English language learning is seen as a “knowledge-receiving’ process. Therefore, there is a misleading that English learners are regarded as passive recipients and do not need any initiative.
According to the investigation by Shi in 2000, college graduates who have strong speaking ability only account for 5%; those who are very weak in speaking account for 37%; those who are competent in international conference discussions account for 7% and those who are competent in foreign trade negotiations account for 14%. In spite of the fact that college students have a long history of learning English, the critical situation still not shift and the ability for the college students to speak English is far from satisfactory.
1.3 Overview of the development of web-based study at home
With the rapid development of computer science and technology and the prevalence of networks, people’s life has been influenced. According to “Survey Report on Internet Development in China” provided by China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) in January 2007, study is the fourth main goal following getting entertained, making friends and getting resources. In English Learning Teaching, Multi-media Means have been also applied. No one can ignore the great influence of the Internet on people’s daily life, including English study. A lot of people have made full use of the Internet for English study, such as reading or listening global news, watching America or Europe movies or TV series, taking part in chatting rooms for English study, making frien ds from other countries online, etc.
Web-based study can make learning anytime, anywhere available, thereby providing the possibility for lifelong learning. It also changes the relationship between teachers and students and provides increased access to study. Besides, web-based study is a good way to improve the student's critical thinking and analytical skills. [2]245
1.4 The significance of the study
With the development of global integration and the increased frequency of international communication, new and higher requirements in English study are put forward for college students. Gradually, more and more non-English major students realize the importance of oral English study and try to find out ways to improve their own oral English to a higher level. However, due to the influence of traditional teaching methods, long-time examination-oriented concept and ignorance to oral English in people’s mind, the current situation of college students, especially non-English major students, in oral English is far from being optimistic. From 1960s, language researchers home and abroad have focused on the relationship between oral English study and learning strategies and made deep study on speaking learning strategies.
What’s more, the Internet and computer science has played a more and more important role in people’s life and influenced language learning further. It is evidently an admirable thing, but there is little guidance to the English study online. The study on web-based learning strategies is few, even the study on web-based speaking learning strategies is almost blank. Therefore, this paper chooses a certain amount of non-English major students in ZUST, and studies their present situation or problems during using speaking learning strategies online, hoping to help them to find a suitable way to study online and finally achieve the ultimate goal of improving oral English.
2. Literature Review
In this part, four topics are discussed respectively. They are: definition of learning strategies, classification of learning strategies, studies on speaking learning strategies, factors of influencing the choice of speaking learning strategies.
2.1 Definition of learning strategies
In most of the studies, speaking learning strategies are not separated from learning strategies. The general definition of learning strategies is “mental or behavior activity related to some specific stage in the overall process of language acquisition or language use.” [3]154 In the short history of researches on learning strategies, lots of researches abroad gave definition of learning strategies from perspective of their study. Here are some.
Weinstein and Mayer insist that learning strategies are the behaviors and thoughts that a learner engages in during learning. Learning strategies are intended to influence the learner’s encoding process. 54 The researchers above all think learning strategies are actions useful to language learning but differ in the way learning strategies work.
In 1990, Cohen defines learning strategies as learning processes which are consciously selected by the learners. The element of choice is important here because this is what gives a strategy its special character. These are also moves which the learners are at least partially aware of, even if full attention is not being given to them. 78
In addition, Tarone defines language strategies as “an attempt to develop linguistic and sociolinguistic competence in target language –to incorporate these into one’s interlanguage competence.” [11]65-66 Stern gives the definition as “best reserved for general tendencies or overall characteristic of the approach employed by the language learner, leaving techniques as the term to refer to particular forms of observable learning behavior.& rdquo; [12]57-58
2.2 Classification of learning strategies
2.2.1 Classification of learning strategies abroad
Learning strategies have been classified by many scholars. However, most of these studies do not differ much with each other. Here are three typical classifications:
In the classification of O’Malley and Chamots, there are 3 major types of strategies, namely, cognitive strategies, meta-cognitive strategies and social/affective strategies. [13]155 O’Malley and Chamot make the classification depending on the level or type of processing involved. The disadvantage of O’Malley and Chamot’s classification is that it has difficulties in its application because the definition of each strategies item seems to be a little vague.
The classification scheme provided by Oxford is believed to be the most comprehensive classification to date. Oxford divided language strategies into two major groups, namely, direct strategies and indirect strategies. [14]54-55
1) Direct strategies: Memory strategies, Cognitive strategies, Compensation strategies.
2) Indirect strategies: Meta-cognitive strategies, Social strategies, Affective strategies.
The classification by Oxford has been widely used and accepted.
Cohen, in his work Strategies in Learning and Using a Second Language divided learners’ strategies into two types: language learning strategies and language using strategies. [15]124 Cohen’s classification seems clear and easy to understand, but it is difficult to tell whether it is for language learning or for language use. Besides, his study did not pay attention to meta-cognitive strategies, while many researchers believe that meta-cognitive strategies are one of the most important strategies to language learning.
2.2.2 Classification of learning strategies in China
As we know, in most of the studies, speaking learning strategies are not separated from learning strategies. In China, many researchers have made great contribution to learning strategies. In order to have a good understanding of learning strategies, many researchers focus on the classification of learning strategies. Cheng& Zhen and Wen are two prominent researchers.
Cheng& Zhen put forward two classification schemes. The first one is based on the role that strategies play in the learning process. There are cognitive strategies, meta-cognitive strategies, affective strategies and communicative strategies. The second one is based on areas of language knowledge and skills. There are strategies for learning pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and strategies for developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. [16]56
Wen draws a complete system for language learning strategies. In this system, language learning strategies are divided into two categories: the beliefs about language learning and the learning strategies. The former concerns a learner’s viewpoint about how to learn a foreign language, and these beliefs decide the learning strategies one uses. The latter is subdivided into two groups: management skills and learning skills. Management skills are usually related to the language materials, including making study plans, evaluating one’s progress, measuring and modulating one’s affective state and so on; while learning skills generally include how to acquire the abilities in listening, speaking, reading and writing, how to deal with new words, how to learn pronunciation and so on. [17]54
2.3 Studies on speaking learning strategies
2.3.1 Nature of oral English
Oral English is different from written English in many ways. Oral English is usually not pre-organized and neat as written English. The sentence in oral English is usually shorter, even not completed or simpler, sometimes wrong in grammar. Also, we can find that oral English is always much up-dated and could express speaker’s ideals by tones of voice, intonation and stress.
The words are being spoken as they are being decided and as they are being understood. Once spoken, they are gone. While the reader can reread, the listener can have memory problems that will lead to misunderstandings or a request for a repetition. Furthermore, the listener may miss a part of what was said, perhaps through noise, or a moment’s distraction. [18]85
2.3.2 Studies on speaking learning strategies abroad
With the further study of learning strategies, some researchers have made detailed study on speaking learning strategies. Speaking strategies, which are closely related to strategies as in McDonugh’s review, turned out to be a focus among researchers of SLA. L2 researchers on speaking strategies were always divided into two camps:
1) Socio-linguistically orientated researchers, such as Tarone, who considered such strategies as social interaction.
2) Psycho-linguistically orientated researchers, represented by Faerch and Kasper, who recognized them as part of a planning process.
Through employing the me thodology of interpreting transcripts of learners’ language,the two camps set a destination of ascertaining various lists of possible strategies available to L2 learners, which were separately described by Poulisse and Bialystok. [19]78-79
The most comprehensive project into speaking strategies was conducted at the University of Nijmegen by Kellerman, Bongaerts, and Poulisse in the 1980s. In these studies by the Nijmegen group, verbal report and other methods were used for investigating the situation of the use of L2 speaking strategies, especially those used in compensating for gaps in communicative ability.
O’Malley and Chamot conducted an empirical interventionist study, which “is one of the most comprehensive studies of learner strategies to date”. [20]65 After the test, the members who were given precise and clear training in meta-cognitive,cognitive,and social strategies and affective strategies improved significantly more than the controlled group.
Cohen, Weaver and Li investigated the effects of a range of speaking strategies on three tasks performed by university foreign language students: a self-description, a story retelling, and a description of a favorite city at University of Minnesota. In 2000, there are also three major studies reviewed by Cohen, which dealt with training of speaking strategies, founded on the categorization of speaking strategies. One study was conducted with a survey of 122 first-year and fourth-year students in the English Department at an Egyptian university,half students receiving the treatment and half in the controlled group. A second study involved 60 undergraduates in compulsory English for Arts Student course. 75
2.3.3 Studies on speaking learning strategies at home
From the early 1980s, researchers in China began to pay more and more attention to speaking learning strategies. A thesis named “An investigation of learning strategies in colloquial communication that Chinese EFL learners in China employ” was accomplished by Huang Xiaohua in 1984. In 1985, Huang Xiaohua took a further research on relationship between speaking strategies and speaking proficiency among seniors of English major in Guangzhou Foreign Language Institute. They found that the use of learning strategies was relative to increased language achievement or proficiency and learning strategies had been firmly affirmed to play an active role in language learning. [23]287-307
In 1990, Chen Siqing Published “A study of communication strategies in interlanguage production by Chinese EFL learners” in an international magazine—Language Learning. In the study, the frequency, type and efficiency of using communication strategies by twelve students of foreign language majors were observed and described. [24]24-26
2.3.4 Factors of influencing the choice of speaking learning strategies
During the recent studies on learning strategies, many researchers have found that the use of speaking learning strategies is affected by many factors. And the most common factors are age, language proficiency, learning style, learning beliefs, gender, motivation and culture.
1) Age has been found to affect the use of oral English strategies. Older learners often use complex, sophisticated strategies. Young children respond more readily and intuitively to language “acquisition” in social and communicative situations, while older learners can learn language more steadily by means of cognitive and academic approaches. [25]154
2) L2 proficiency Bialystock found that functional practice correlated significantly with second language proficiency in tenth graders, whereas functional practice, formal practice, and monitoring were related to L2 proficiency in twelfth graders. [26]25
3) Learning styles also affect the choice of L2 learning strategies. Learning styles make a big difference in choosing learning strategies or the learning behavior of an individual.
4) Learning beliefs, as researchers, Weden, Horwitz; Abranham and Vann; Gerardo; Pedro; Yang, suggested, play an important role in dictating the use of learning strategies.
5) Gender differences in the use of learning strategies are indicated by several studies of Oxford and Nyikos, Oxford and Green, Kaylani e.
6) Motivation is also important in successful second language learning. Gardner, D. & L. Miller are typical researchers. Schumann, Oxford and Nyikos, Ehrman and Oxford, Okada also concern much about motivation and learning strategies.
7) Culture may play an important role in shaping particular learning behaviors, as some researchers indicated. Researchers such as O’Malley, Politzer and McGroa try, Scarcella, Carson, Hino, Kohn, Carson and Nelson, Levine, Reves and Leaver and Parry make researches on it. [27]85
3. The methodology
The study was conducted to investigate the current situation of speaking learning strategies used by students from non-English majors who have oral English study online by means of questionnaire survey. The whole chapter is composed of the following components: the subjects, the instruments, data collection, data analysis.
3.1 The subjects
3.1.1 Purpose
The major purposes of the study are: 1) to study the frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies during oral English study online; 2) to find out the differences in the frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies; 3) to identify the differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors including gender, major, personality, self-rated proficiency level; 4) to point out that the positive use of speaking learning strategies online is helpful to the improvement of oral English.
3.1.2 Participants
The participants are 107 college students of non-English major in ZUST. They are from different majors and are respectively from science and arts. And also, they are from different grades of different levels.
3.2 Instruments
The questionnaire has been used to gather information on the speaking learning strategies used by students of non-English major who have oral English study online. The students are required to finish the questionnaire in 10 minutes. The questionnaire contains 30 questions, concluding 6 questions about meta-cognitive strategies, 4 questions about cognitive strategies, 6 questions about memory strategies, 4 questions about compensation strategies, 5 questions about affective strategies, and 5 questions about social strategies. It uses five scales ranging from A (“never”) to E (“always”). The latter letter indicates a more frequent use of the Internet or strategies. The first part of the survey questionnaire is for the status of using the Internet for oral English study in ZUST. The second part focuses on the use of six types of strategies. The detailed reflection of different speaking learning strategies used in oral English study online can be represented as below: 1) memory strategies, such as setting up nets of relationships, making use of image and sound, reviewing, acting and so on; 2) cognitive strategies, such as practicing, receiving, and conveying information, analyzing and inferring, setting up rules for inputting and output information; 3) compensation strategies, such as guessing, overcoming deficiencies of language knowledge in speaking and writing; 4) meta-cognitive strategies, such as focusing on key points of learning, arranging and planning learning, evaluating learning; 5) affective strategies, such as lowering anxiety, encouraging oneself, learning about one’s own state of affect; 6) social strategies, such as enquiring about questions, cooperating with others, sympathizing others. The questionnaire is in Chinese, in order to make the participants understand the items better.
3.3 Data collection
The students majoring in science, especially the students majoring in engineering and students majoring in arts of business trade and humanity in ZUST, take part in this survey. The survey conducted during a week in April in 2010. There are different methods or procedures to collect the data in the researches of speaking learning strategies, such as observation, interview, questionnaire, verbal report, diary, etc. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages as well. But considering time-saving principal and the conception of building an environmental society, this survey is made online. During this period, we contact 3 students majoring in engineering in ZUST and then other students to take part in the survey. The students are required to answer the questionnaire in 10 minutes. The participants are advised not to be so bad in English to guarantee the quality of the survey. Then the data will undergo descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics indicate the average level of the use of speaking learning strategies, the difference between two sets of scores, such as the relationship between some learners’ factors and the use of speaking learning strategies, such as gender, major, personality, self-rated proficiency, and the possibility and reliability of the data.
3.4 Data analysis
This paper analyzes the data collected in the research. Section one indicates the frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies during oral English study online. Section two shows the differences in the frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies. Section three provides the differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors including gender, major, personality, self-rated proficiency level. For the convenience of calculating, A (“never&rd quo;) to E (“always”) in the questionnaire count 1-5 scores gradually. And all use mean and Std. Deviation to make a contrast between each other and check the possibility of the results.
3.4.1 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies
Table 3.1 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies online and in real life
Category Online In real life
Overall strategies 2.50 4.02
Memory strategies 2.30 4.33
Cognitive strategies 2.57 3.04
Compensation strategies 2. 82 4.83
Meta-cognitive strategies 2. 53 3.12
Affective strategies 2.19 3.03
Social strategies 2.24 4.08
The table 3.1 above shows the mean scores of the use of speaking learning strategies online and in the real life respectively. It is clearly that the frequency of the overall use of speaking learning online only accounts 2.50, greatly lower than that in the real life, which holds 4.02. Besides, the respective scores of the use of different speaking learning strategies are relatively lower than that in the real life.
3.4.2 Frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies
Table 3.2 Frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies
Category Mean Std. Deviation
Memory strategies 2.30 2.29
Cognitive strategies 2.57 3.33
Compensation strategies 2. 82 4.91
Meta-cognitive strategies 2. 53 5.18
Affective strategies 2.19 3.43
Social strategies 2.24 3.07
The table 3.2 above shows the mean scores and std. deviation of the use of different speaking learning strategies online. As the survey shows, the most frequent speaking learning strategies used by students are compensation strategies, which accounts for 2.82. The latter two are cognitive strategies and meta-cognitive strategies, which accounts for 2.57 and 2.53 respectively. Affective strategies only have 2.19, which are comparatively low to the overall level.
3.4.3 Differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors
3.4.3.1 Use of the speaking strategies by different gender
Table 3.3 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies by different gender
Category Male Female
Overall strategies 2.33 2.67
Memory strategies 2.28 2.32
Cognitive strategies 2.53 2.61
Compensation strategies 2.51 2.55
Meta-cognitive strategies 2.49 2.57
Affective strategies 2.18 2.20
Social strategies 2.21 2.27
From table 3.3, we can see that there is no big significant difference in using memory strategies, cognitive strategies, compensation strategies, meta-cognitive strategies, affective strategies and social strategies between different genders. The overall strategies used by females hold 2.67, higher than 2.33 for males. The use of learning strategies by females is more frequent than the males. Also, the scores of respective speaking learning strategies by the females are always higher than the males.
3.4.3.2 Use of the speaking strategies by different majors
Table 3.4 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies by different major
Category Science Arts
Overall strategies 2.36 2.64
Memory strategies 2.25 2.35
Cognitive strategies 2.51 2.63
Compensation strategies 2.59 2.47
Meta-cognitive strategies 2.31 2.33
Affective strategies 2.15 2.23
Social strategies 2.19 2.29
From table 3.4, the overall use of speaking learning strategies by students from arts occupies 2.64, while the use of those from science occupies 2.36. The students from arts use speaking learning strategies a little more frequent than those of the science. Also, this contrast between males and females can be seen by the scores of each speaking learning strategies in the table3.4.
3.4.3.3 Use of the speaking strategies by different personalities
Table 3.5 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies by different personality
Category Extroverted Introverted
Overall strategies 2.50 2.42
Memory strategies 2.27 2.33
Cognitive strategies 2.58 2.56
Compensation strategies 2.56 2.50
Meta-cognitive strategies 2.28 2.34
Affective strategies 2.19 2.17
Social strategies 2.26 2.21
From table 3.5, the scores of the extroverted students and the introverted students are near the same. And it is not fixed that the scores of the extroverted ones are higher than the introverted ones by each strategies. The score of memory strategies by the introverted occupies 2.33, 0.05 higher than the extroverted. Also, we can see that the score of the meta-cognitive strategies by the introverted is 0.06 higher. There is no big difference in the use of the speaking strategies with different personality, but normally the speaking learning strategies used by the outgoing and confident students are more frequent, especially social strategies, affective strategies and compensation strategies.
3.4.3.4 The use of the speaking strategies by different self-rated proficiency levels
Table 3.6 Frequency of the use of speaking Learning
strategies by different self-rated proficiency level
Category High Medium Low
Overall strategies 2.53 1.61 0.89
Memory strategies 1.84 1.71 1.12
Cognitive strategies 2.19 1.97 0.98
Compe nsation strategies 1.51 1.57 1.90
Meta-cognitive strategies 2.57 1.63 0.83
Affective strategies 2.83 1.88 0.67
Social strategies 2.11 1.54 0.83
In this part, students are divided into three groups by self-rated proficiency level, namely, high, medium and low. Table 3.6 clearly shows that the strategies used by the participants are significantly and positively related to their proficiency level. The good students with higher-rated proficiency level use more speaking learning strategies and relatively the students with low-rated proficiency level use less speaking learning strategies. In addition, the compensation is often used by the ones who are relatively weak in English, which occupy 1.9 point in the table 3.6.
4. Results and discussion
4.1 Frequency of the use of speaking learning strategies
As the survey shows, the overall use of speaking learning strategies online is still low. The possible reason should be:
First, the college students have not thought high of or even realized the great potential and function of the net to learning. Although the Internet can capture students’ attention easily, it is not often used for study. Students are used to and willing to study in class or by textbooks or homework.
Second, even though a part of students realized the value of Internet to study, they do not know how to study. The further negative effect is that they lose the interest in oral English practicing easily. This may need the teachers to guide them and enlighten their mind with fleshing ideas, innovation and updated rich information about the ways to practice oral English on the Internet.
Third, there is no admirable and pleasant atmosphere for web-based study. As nearly all the students live in the dormitory, they are easily affected by each other. So, an environment full of interaction is advocated. The teachers or the students themselves could build some forums, unions or study groups to arise the atmosphere of study.
The last but not the least, the Internet has so much temptation to allure the students to have some entertainment. So, the Internet itself may reduce the speaking learning use. Students are always weak in self-motivated learning ability and ability to study independently online. As to this, the students themselves should pay more efforts on it.
4.2 Frequency of the use of different speaking learning strategies.
From the data we can see that the most frequent speaking learning strategy used by students online is the compensation strategies. This may be the reason that the average oral English level of non-English major students is not high and a big amount of them is low. When they could not understand what the other talks about during the conversation, they will ask them to repeat or slow down the speed. Since the storage of their vocabulary is limited, when they could not remind of the words or sentences needed, they will choose other words or sentences to replace these words or sentences. And when they could not express themselves clearly, they will try to give examples to elaborate it.
The lower ones to compensation strategies in the survey are cognitive strategies and meta-cognitive strategies. It is gratified that students have an identifying goal of study in English learning and they also take advantage of the Internet resources under a pleasant condition by watching America movie or TV series or listening VOA, BBC, etc. They also try to seek the better way to improve oral English and have the ability to make arrangements.
Affective strategies, memory strategies and social strategies are comparatively lower in the data. Students are easy to be depressed about their oral English and sometimes have the thought to let it be. When confronted with new words on movies, TV series, websites, chatting online, etc, students will not write them down or try to find their meanings. Social strategies could contribute much but are limited by the traditional study habits online. Students have not formed the habits to practice English by e-mails, chatting rooms or other methods online.
4.3 Differences in the use of speaking learning strategies by speakers with different factors
As we can see from the use of the speaking strategies by different genders, majors, personality, and self-rated proficiency level above, English learning factors do affect the oral learning inline.
As to the gender, females pay more attention to the use of speaking learning strategies and have more talents in language learning. Female students are not engaged in many entertainments such as games, etc. But both males and females should make best use of the advantages and bypass the disadvantages
As to the major, the scores of the students majoring in arts are conspicuously superior to the students majoring in science. The thinking pattern and the advantage of sharing emotion and social practice of the students majoring in art makes them superior in the use of speaking learning strategies, while the students majoring in science pay much on the technologies and data than language itself.
As to personality, the extroverted ones gain much. The extroverted personality always represents confident, outgoing and communicating or sharing much with others. The confident and outgoing ones always have a higher self-rated proficiency. If one is more confident and outgoing, then he or she will pay more efforts on how to improve oral English and gain more opportunity to have a communication with others.
As to self-rated proficiency, it is clear that the students with higher self-rated proficiency level use more speaking learning strategies and the students with lower self-rated proficiency level use less speaking learning strategies. In turn, the ones who use varied speaking learning strategies more frequently can always achieve better outcomes in oral English. But as the Internet is only one assisting tool to oral English learning, so, we can not say that it is definitely a deciding factor. But it is sure that frequent use of strategies do contributes to the results of the oral English learning.
At present, however, not too many students regard the speaking learning strategies important, and have not formed a good study mode online. So, I would like to bring up some advice for reference: 1)lowering anxiety and practicing step by step; 2)preparing and planning for using speaking learning strategies; 3)selecting and using proper and suitable strategies for yourself; 4)summarizing your oral study and making adjustments accordingly; 5)going outside and practicing more and more. How to get rid of the barriers of the negative factors and make full use of the positive ones is a wise but a difficult thing. Also, to make full use of the Internet in study and put the speaking learning strategies into the oral English study online are meaningful but still a long way.
5. Conclusion
The above discussion of study and research is by no means comprehensive but it deserves our study.
Nowadays, Internet is an interesting and fashionable thing to us. It has attracted our eyeballs for a long time and occupied plenty of our time as well. The introduction of Internet brings new vigor to teaching and learning process, but it also tends to be inefficient during the study. Thus, the frequency of using speaking learning strategies online is low. This requires the proper use of speaking learning strategies and efforts by the students.
As the study shows, the most frequent speaking learning strategies used online is compensation strategies. It may after all be accepted as a good way to circumvent the weakness in oral English, but not a good and long-time way to improve oral English level. Other strategies do deserve to use and have some requirements to the learners: the use of cognitive strategies and meta-cognitive strategies requires learners know how to make arrangements for study and have the ability to self-control during the study online. The study of affective strategies shows that an enterprising and perseverant mind is advocated in practicing oral English. Memory strategies request the learners to be more diligent and hardworking to English study. At last, the social strategies are functional and demand the students to explore more gateways of practicing oral English online.
It is evident that learners’ factors can easily affect the use of speaking learning strategies online and some factors can not be changed at once. But, if the learners could foster strengths and circumvent weaknesses, and absorb the shining points from the others, there will be a new look of oral English learning.
Speaking learning strategies is by no means helpful to the improvement of oral English, although this paper could not give affirmative support to it. But we can see that the good learners always use speaking learning strategies more frequently.
All in all, it is greatly expected that the learners could make full use of the website and speaking learning strategies during the study online and there will be a better atmosphere of practicing oral English online in the future.
Acknowledgements
My initial thanks go to my supervisor Louqing, who patiently supervised my dissertation and was at times very willing to offer me illuminating advice or suggestions. Without her help, I could not have finished this dissertation.
I am also indebted to other teachers and my classmates who have not only offered me their warm encouragements but also shared with me their ideas and books. They are Yangxue, Chenliang, Fanyanlong, wangbo and many others.
My greatest personal debt is to my grandparents and parents, who have cultivated a soul of sensitivity, hospitality, and honesty out of me, and offered a harbor of happiness and sweetness for me.
The remaining weakness and possible errors of the dissertation are entirely my own.
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[17]文秋芳.英语学习成功之路[M].上海外语教育出版社,2003:54.
[18]Bygate, M. Speaking[M]. Oxford University Press, 1987:85.
[19]McDonugh, S.H. Strategies and Skill in Learning a Foreign Language[M]. London: Edward Amold, 1995:78-79.
[20]Ellis, Rod. Learning a Second Language Learning Through Interaction[M] Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 1999:65.
[21]Nunan, D. The Learner-Centered Curriculum: a Study in Second Language Teaching[M]. Cambridge University Press, 1990:45.
[22]Dornyei, Z. On the teachability of communication strategies. TESOL Quaterly[M].TESOL Quarterly, 1995:75.
[23]Huang, X. H. & M. Van Naersson. Learning Strategies for oral communication[J]. Applied Linguistic, 1987:287-307.
[24]陈思齐.英语专业大学生交际策略的使用研究[J].外语教学,1990:24-26.
[25]Ehrman, M & Oxford. Effects of sex differences, career choice, and psychological type on adult language learning strategies[M]. Modern Language, 1989:154.
[26]Bialystock, E. The role of conscious strategies: A psychological Analysis of Second Language use[M]. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1981:25.
[27]陈善琼.语言学习策略在中学英语口语教学中的应用[D]. 四川师范大学,2007:85.
Appendices
浙江科技学院非英语专业大学生网上英语口语学习策略调查问卷
一、个人简况
姓名:
性别: A 男 B女
科别: A 理工科 B文科
你的性格特征: A内向 B外向
你认为你目前的英语综合水平: A很差 B一般 C优秀
二、网上英语口语学习策略调查
(元认知策略使用情况调查)
1、我寻求好的网上口语练习的时间和地点。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
2、上网学习时,我能把握上网学习的时间和内容。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
3、对于如何上网提高英语口语能力,在不同时期,我有明确的目标。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
4、我总在寻求更好的口语学习方法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
5、我思考和评价自己的上网学习方法从而找出存在的问题和解决方法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
6、在说话前, 我先把想说的话组织好再说。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(认知策略使用情况调查)
7、我浏览各种英文网站、听英文录音VOA,BBC,. etc及看英文视频等,听和练习口语。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
8、在用英语聊天时,我会猜想对方下一句会说什么。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
9、听VOA,BBC,. etc 或欧美剧等英文视频时,我会模仿其说话方式、语音语调及用词。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
10、听VOA,BBC,. etc 或欧美剧等英文视频时,我会小声跟着说。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(记忆策略使用情况调查)
11、我反复观看喜欢的欧美剧,以便加深印象。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
12、记单词时, 我会想到同根的词或近义词、反义词等相关词汇。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
13、在英文网站上遇到新单词我就猜它的意思。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
14、一遇到生词就查字典吗?
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
15、我把上网遇到的生词记在单词本上。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
16、我用金山词霸等网上字典在线查找生词的意义及用法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(补偿策略使用情况调查)
17、QQ聊或聊天室语音等方式交流时, 我会努力猜测TA接下去将说什么。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
18、QQ聊或聊天室语音等方式交流时, 当不懂对方所言时,会请求对方重复或放慢语速。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
19、QQ聊或聊天室语音等方式交流时, 当与别人交谈时想不起某个词 时, 我会使用同义词(组)。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
20、当不能表达自己时, 我会举例等方式进行解释。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(情感策略使用情况调查)
21、在网络环境中害怕别人发现你英语方面的不足吗?
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
22、为了把口语说好,我经常自我鼓励。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
23、说英语紧张时, 我会想办法消除它。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
24、上网学习英语后,我的学习兴趣提高了。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
25、我会与家人、同学、老师等探讨口语学习的感受
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(社交策略使用情况调查)
26、用英语写邮件或聊天时,我请对方纠正我的错误。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
27、通过网上交流很容易在学习上和同学结成朋友。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
28、必要时,交谈借助手势、表情等进行表达。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
29、交谈时,我把精力放在意思表达上。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
30、在口语表达时,我直接向对方表示自己遇到困难,向对方寻求帮助。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
浙江科技学院非英语专业大学生非网络状态下英语口语学习策略调查问卷
(元认知策略使用情况调查)
1、我寻求好的网上口语练习的时间和地点。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
2、学习时,我能把握学习的时间和内容。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
3、对于如何提高英语口语能力,在不同时期,我有明确的目标。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
4、我总在寻求更好的口语学习方法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
5、我思考和评价自己的学习方法从而找出存在的问题和解决方法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
6、在说话前, 我先把想说的话组织好再说。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(认知策略使用情况调查)
7、我参加有利于英语提高的活动,听和练习口语。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
8、在用英语聊天时,我会猜想对方下一句会说什么。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
9、听英语时,我会模仿其说话方式、语音语调及用词。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
10、听英语时,我会小声跟着说。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(记忆策略使用情况调查)
11、我反复朗读喜欢的英语文章,以便加深印象。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
12、记单词时, 我会想到同根的词或近义词、反义词等相关词汇。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
13、遇到新单词我就猜它的意思。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
14、一遇到生词就查字典吗?
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
15、我把遇到的生词记在单词本上。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
16、我会努力查找生词的意义及用法。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(补偿策略使用情况调查)
17、英语聊天时,我会努力猜测TA接下去将说什么。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
18、英语聊天时,当不懂对方所言时,会请求对方重复或放慢语速。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
19、英语聊天时, 当与别人交谈时想不起某个词时, 我会使用同义词(组)。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
20、当不能表达自己时, 我会举例等方式进行解释。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(情感策略使用情况调查)
21、害怕别人发现你英语方面的不足吗?
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
22、为了把口语说好,我经常自我鼓励。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
23、说英语紧张时, 我会想办法消除它。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
24、一番努力学习后,我的学习兴趣提高了。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
25、我会与家人、同学、老师等探讨口语学习的感受
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
(社交策略使用情况调查)
26、用英语聊天时,我请对方纠正我的错误。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
27、英语打开新的世界,结交更多的朋友。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
28、必要时,交谈借助手势、表情等进行表达。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
29、交谈时,我把精力放在意思表达上。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
30、在口语表达时,我直接向对方表示自己遇到困难,向对方寻求帮助。
A从不 B很少 C有时 D经常 E总是
谢谢您的合作!
诚 信 承 诺
我谨在此承诺:本人所写的毕业论文《基于网络的英语口语学习策略研究》均系本人独立完成,没有抄袭行为,凡涉及其他作者的观点和材料,均作了注释,若有不实,后果由本人承担。
2. British English and American English 2
2.1The history of British English 3
2.2 The history of American English 4
3. Grammar differences between British English and American English 6
3.1 Lexical differences 6
3.1.1The different use of collective nouns in their single or plural forms 7
3.1.2 Differences in verb 7
3.1.2.1 Differences in the inflectional endings of verbs 7
3.1.2.2Different use of present perfect tenses 8
3.1.2.3 Different use of transitive and intransitive verbs 8
3.1.2.4 Different use of "have" 9
3.1.3 Different use of function words 9
3.1.3.1 Different use of preposition and adverb 9
3.1.3.2 Different use of auxiliary verb 10
3.1.3.3 Differences in articles 11
3.2 Syntactical differences 12
3.2.1 Differences in compound object 12
3.2.2 Presence or absence of syntactic elements 13
3.2.3 Different use of subjunctive mood 13
4. The differences between British English and the special form of American English—Black English 14
5. The tendency of the development of British English and American English 17
6. Conclusion 17
Acknowledgements 19
References 19
1.Introduction
There is one play in the famous American TV series Friends: Ross will go to England to marry Emily, suddenly Rachel decides to show his love to Ross and goes to England either, so his friend Phoebe makes a call to tell the news to Ross and Emily, Emily’s housekeeper answers the call. The dialogue as follows:
Housekeeper: The Waltham Residence.
Phoebe: Oh...yes…is this…umm…Emily’s Parents’ house?
Housekeeper: This is the housekeeper speaking. And by the way, young lady, that is not how one addresses oneself on the telephone. First one identifies oneself and then asks for the person with whom one wishes to speak.
Phoebe: (In a British accent)This is Phoebe Buffay. I was wondering, please, if-if it’s not too much trouble, please, umm,might I speak to Miss Emily Waltham, please?
Housekeeper: Miss Waltham is at the rehearsal dinner and it’s not polite to make fun of people. Goodbye.
Phoebe: No,no,no, I’ll be nice, I swear!!! Could you just give me the number for where they are?
Housekeeper: I’m afraid, I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.
Phoebe: Ok, somebody is on their way to ruin wedding okay. And I have to warn somebody, alright. So if you don’t give me that number then I’m going to come over there and kick your snooty ass all the way to New Glocken...shire.
Housekeeper: Hangs up[1]
We can see from the above dialogue that British English is more serious and formal than American English. The American speaks at will while the Englishmen speak gently. As we all know the two major varieties of English used by people as native language are British and American English. There seems to be little differences between the two varieties but the influences are very different. On some occasion we may have some mistakes in communication, in order to help the English speakers and learners understand the two varieties better and to eliminate troubles that may prevent communication and English writing, so I will make analysis on the grammar differences between British English and American English.
2. British English and American English
Nowadays English has developed into a global language. The fact that such a large number of people all around the world speak English means that there are many dialects and varieties. The two major varieties of English used by people as native language are British and American English. As a message carrier, English fully reflects the unique culture possessed by the British and American countries. Since in Dissertations on the English Language, Noah Webster pointed out “several circumstances render a feature separation of the American tongue from the English necessary and unavoidable.”
2.1 The History of British English
English is a West Germanic language which originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by Germanic settlers from various parts of what is now northwest Germany and the northern Netherlands. Initially, Old English was a diverse group of dialects, reflecting the varied origins of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms of England. One of these dialects, Late West Saxon, eventually came to dominate. The original Old English language was then influenced by two waves of invasion: the first by speakers of the Scandinavian branch of the Germanic language family, who conquered and colonized parts of Britain in the 8th and 9th centuries; the second by the Normans in the 11th century, who spoke Old Norman and ultimately developed an English variety of this called Anglo-Norman. These two invasions caused English to become "mixed" to some degree, though it was never a truly mixed language in the strict linguistic sense of the word, as mixed languages arise from the cohabitation of speakers of different languages, who develop a hybrid tongue for basic communication.
Cohabitation with the Scandinavians resulted in a significant grammatical simplification and lexical enrichment of the Anglo-Frisian core of English; the later Norman occupation led to the grafting onto that Germanic core of a more elaborate layer of words from the Romance languages. This Norman influence entered English largely through the courts and government. Thus, English developed into a "borrowing" language of great flexibility, resulting in an enormous and varied vocabulary. It mainly divided into four periods.
(1)Proto-English (the 5th century AD)[2]
The languages of Germanic tribes gave rise to the English language (the Angles, Saxons, Frisians, Jutes and perhaps even the Franks), who traded and fought with the Latin-speaking Roman Empire in the centuries-long process of the Germanic peoples' expansion into Western Europe. Many Latin words for common objects entered the vocabulary of these Germanic peoples before any of their tribes reached Britain; examples include camp, cheese, cook, fork, inch, kettle, kitchen, linen, mile, mill, mint (coin), noon, pillow, pin, pound, punt (boat), street and wall. The Romans also gave the English language words which they had themselves borrowed from other languages: anchor, butter, chest, devil, dish, sack and wine.
(2)Old English(AD 450—1100)[2]
The invaders' Germanic language replaced the indigenous Brythonic languages. (form one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic language family, the other being Goidelic)The original Celtic languages remained in parts of Scotland, Wales and Cornwall. The dialects spoken by the Anglo-Saxons formed what is now called Old English. Later, it was strongly influenced by the North Germanic language Norse, spoken by the Vikings (is one of the Norse (Scandinavian) explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas of Europe from the late eighth to the early eleventh century.)who invaded and settled mainly in the north-east of England. The new and the earlier settlers spoke languages from different branches of the Germanic family; many of their lexical roots were the same or similar, although their grammars were more distinct, including the prefix, suffix and inflection patterns for many words. The Germanic language of these Old English-speaking inhabitants was influenced by contact with Norse invaders, which might have been responsible for some of the morphological simplification of Old English, including the loss of grammatical gender and explicitly marked case (with the notable exception of the pronouns). The most famous surviving work from the Old English period is a fragment of the epic poem "Beowulf" composed by an unknown poet; it is thought to have been substantially modified, probably by Christian clerics long after its composition.
(3)Middle English(AD 1066-1470)[2]
For about 300 years following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the Norman kings and their high nobility spoke only one of the langues d'oïl called Anglo-Norman, whilst English continued to be the language of the common people. Various contemporary sources suggest that within fifty years of the invasion, most of the Normans outside the royal court spoke English, with French remaining the prestige language of government and law, largely out of social inertia. For example, Orderic Vitalis, a historian born in 1075 and the son of a Norman knight, said that he learned French only as a second language. A tendency for French-derived words to have more formal connotations has continued to the present day; most modern English speakers would consider a "cordial reception" (from French) to be more formal than a "hearty welcome" (Germanic). Another example is the very unusual construction of the words for animals being separated from the words for their food products e.g. beef and pork (from the French bœuf and porc) being the products of the Germanically named animals 'cow' and 'pig'.
(4)Modern English(1500 up to the present)[2]
Modern English can be divided into two parts: early modern english(1500-1800)and late modern English. Modern English is often dated from the Great Vowel Shift, which took place mainly during the 15th century. English was further transformed by the spread of a standardized London-based dialect in government and administration and by the standardizing effect of printing. By the time of William Shakespeare (mid-late 16th century), the language had become clearly recognizable as Modern English.
English has continuously adopted foreign words, especially from Latin and Greek, since the Renaissance. (In the 17th century, Latin words were often used with the original inflections, but these eventually disappeared). As there are many words from different languages and English spelling is variable, the risk of mispronunciation is high, but remnants of the older forms remain in a few regional dialects, most notably in the West Country.
In 1755, Samuel Johnson published the first significan t English dictionary, his Dictionary of the English Language.
2.2 The history of American English
During the 17th century, or more precisely on May 14, 1607, the first English settlers landed in Virginia. This was a group of 104 London entrepreneurs and they established the first English colony in Jamestown. Later on, in 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers, settlers from England, landed in Massachusetts, and also brought the English language over the Atlantic Ocean to America and another variety of English was born, American English. This variety is the largest of all the English varieties, since as many as 70% of the native English speakers live in the US. American English has preserved a number of words and features from the English spoken in England at the time of the settlement, which have now been changed in British English.
The history of American English can be divided into the colonial (1607-1776), the national (1776-1898), and the international (1898-present) periods. During nearly four hundred years of use in North America, the English language changed in small ways in pronunciation and grammar but extensively in vocabulary and in the attitude of its speakers. English settlements along the Atlantic Coast during the seventeenth century provided the foundation for English as a permanent language in the New World. But the English of the American colonies was bound to become distinct from that of the motherland. When people do not talk with one another, they begin to talk differently. The Atlantic Ocean served as an effective barrier to oral communication between the colonists and those who stayed in England, ensuring that their speech would evolve in different directions.[3]
Americans also came cheek-to-jowl with "Amerindians" of several linguistic stocks, as well as French and Dutch speakers. They had to talk in new ways to communicate with their new neighbors. Moreover, the settlers had come from various districts and social groups of England, so there was a homogenizing effect: those in a given colony came to talk more like one another and less like any particular community in England. All these influences combined to make American English a distinct variety of the language. In the United States, there are also regional differences, and these are ultimately descendants of a mixture of accents spoken in the British Isles at the time of the settlement of America. Dialect boundaries in the US tend to run from east to west. The first immigrants settled along the Atlantic coast and they spread from east to west across the continent and took some dialect forms, for example words and pronunciation features, with them. The dialect areas in North America are much larger than they are in England, mainly because English has been spoken in England for about 1,500 years, but in America for only approximately 300 years. Because of America’s recent settlement, there has not been enough time for linguistic changes and this is why there are not so many dialect differences in this large country.
3. Grammar differences between British English and American English
English grammar is the set of rules within the English language itself. "An English grammar"(one kind of grammar system)is a specific study or analysis of these rules. In linguistics, grammar refers to the logical and structural rules that govern the composition of sentences, phrases, and words in any given natural language. The term refers also to the study of such rules, and this field includes lexicology and syntax, often complemented by phonetics, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics. I mainly make analysis on the lexical and syntactical differences between British English and American English.
3.1 Lexical Differences
Lexicology is that part of linguistics which studies words, their nature and meaning, words’ elements, relations between words (semantical relations), words groups and the whole lexicon. Lexical differences mean relating to the words’ differences of a language.
3.1.1 The different use of collective nouns in their single or plural forms
Collective nouns such as “team, faculty, family, government” often take plural verb agreement and plural pronoun substitution in Britain English, but they nearly always take singular agreement and singular pronoun substitution in American English. There is a tendency in Britain English, to stress the individuality of the members, which is reflected in plural verb agreement and pronoun substitution, whereas American English Strongly tends to stress the unitary function of the group, which is reflected in singular verb and pronoun forms.[4] 6
Some examples:
Your team is doing well this year, isn’t it? (AmE)
Your team are doing well this year, aren’t they? (BrE)
3.1.2 Differences in Verb
In syntax, a verb is a word (part of speech) that usually denotes an action (bring, read), an occurrence (decompose, glitter), or a state of being (exist, stand). Depending on the language, a verb may vary in form according to many factors, possibly including its tense, aspect, mood and voice. It may also agree with the person, gender, and/or number of some of its arguments (subject, object).
3.1.2.1 Differences in the Inflectional Endings of Verbs
The past tense and past participle of the verbs are different in BrE and AmE.
The past tense and past participle of the verbs learn, spoil, spell, burn, dream, smell, spill, leap, and others, can be either irregular (learnt, spoilt, etc.) or regular (learned, spoiled, etc.). In BrE, the irregular and regular forms are current; in some cases (smelt, leapt) there is a strong tendency towards the irregular forms (especially by speakers using Received Pronunciation); in other cases (dreamed, leaned, learned) the regular forms are somewhat more common. In AmE, the irregular forms are never or rarely used (except for burnt and leapt).
Nonetheless, as with other usages considered nowadays to be typically British, the t endings are often found in older American texts. However, usage may vary when the past participles are actually adjectives, as in burnt toast.( Note that the two-syllable form learned ['lə:nid] usually written simply as learnt, is still used as an adjective to mean "educated", or to refer to academic institutions, in both BrE and AmE.)Finally, the past tense and past participle of dwell and kneel are more commonly dwelt and knelt on both sides of the Atlantic, although dwelled and kneeled are widely used in the US (but not in the UK).
In British English, the past tense of “get’’ is “got”, while American English usually use its past participle “gotten”.
For example,
A. John has got much better during the last week. (BrE)
B. John has gotten much better during the last week. (AmE)
According to the custom that British English usually uses “got” while American English “gotten”, we can quickly tell the nationality of the speaker. The former is British and the later is American. When Americans use “got”, they mean “own, possess and dominate”, such as the following two examples:
They’ve got no pride.
I’ve got plenty of material if I can just handle it.
3.1.2.2 Different use of present perfect tenses
Traditionally, BrE uses the present perfect tense to talk about an event in the recent past(express an action that has occurred in the recent past that has an effect on the present moment) and with the words already, just, and yet. For example:
British English:[5]
I've just had lunch
I've already seen that film
Have you finished your homework yet?
American English:[5]
I just had lunch or I've just had lunch.
I've already seen that film OR I already saw that film.
Have your finished your homework yet? Or did you finish your homework yet?
In American usage, these meanings can be expressed with the present perfect (to express a fact) or the simple past (to imply an expectation). This American style has become widespread only in the past 20 to 30 years; the British style is still in common use as well. In British English the present perfect is used to.
"I've just arrived home." / "I just arrived home."
"I've already eaten." / "I already ate." [6]
Recently, the American use of just with simple past has made inroads into BrE, most visibly in advertising slogans and headlines such as "Cable broadband just got faster".
Similarly, AmE occasionally replaces the pluperfect with the preterite. Also, US spoken usage sometimes, especially with the contracted forms, substitutes the conditional for the pluperfect (If I would have cooked the pie we could have had it for lunch), but this tends to be avoided in writing.[6]
3.1.2.3 Different use of transitive and intransitive verbs
The following verbs show differences in transitivity between BrE and AmE.[6]
agree: transitive or intransitive in BrE, usually intransitive in AmE (agree a contract/agree to or on a contract). However, in formal AmE legal writing one often sees constructions like as may be agreed between the parties (rather than as may be agreed upon between the parties).
appeal(as a decision): usually intransitive in BrE (used with against) and transitive in AmE (appeal against the decision to the Court/appeal the decision to the Court).
cater("to provide food and service"): intransitive in BrE, transitive in AmE (to cater for a banquet/to cater a banquet).
claim: sometimes intransitive in BrE (used with for), strictly transitive in AmE.
protest: in the sense of "oppose", intransitive in BrE, transitive in AmE (The workers protested against the decision/The workers protested the decision). The intransitive protest against in AmE means, "to hold or participate in a demonstration against". The older sense "proclaim" is always transitive (protest one's innocence).
write: in BrE, the indirect object of this verb usually requires the preposition to, for example, I'll write to my MP or I'll write to her (although it is not required in some situations, for example when an indirect object pronoun comes before a direct object noun, for example, I'll write her a letter). In AmE, write can be used monotransitively (I'll write my congressman; I'll write him).
3.1.2.4 Different use of “have”.
British English usually uses “Have you any children?” or “Have you got any
children?” while Americans commonly express the same meaning with “Do you have any children?”Let us see some other examples.
How many brothers do you have? (AmE)
How many brothers have you? (BrE)
You don’t have much room here. (AmE)
You haven’t (got) much room here. (BrE)
3.1.3 Different use of function words
Function words (or grammatical words) are words that have little lexical meaning or have ambiguous meaning, but instead serve to express grammatical relationships with other words within a sentence, or specify the attitude or mood of the speaker. Words that are not function words are called content words (or lexical words): these include nouns, verbs, adjectives, and most adverbs, although some adverbs are function words (e.g., then and why). Dictionaries define the specific meanings of content words, but can only describe the general usages of function words. By contrast, grammars describe the use of function words in detail, but treat lexical words in general terms only. Now I will compare the different use of function words in BrE and AE in detail as follows.
3.1.3.1 Different use of preposition and adverb
Differences between British and American English in prepositions are shown in the following two aspects: (1) different use of prepositions in the construction of phrases; (2) when using phrases, one will use a preposition while the other will omit it.
(1)Let us first review the different use of prepositions.
Your daughter’s name stands first in the list. (BrE)
Your daughter’s name stands first on the list. (AmE)
These dresses are in a sale. (BrE)
These dresses are on sale. (AmE)
He will come here at a quarter to three. (BrE, AmE)
He will come here at a quarter before /of / till three. (AmE)
She lives just round the corner (BrE).[7]4
She lives just around the corner (AmE).
Similarly, “five past nine” can be expressed in American English by “five after nine” or “nine five”. In front of “weekend” and “Christmas”, British English uses “at” or “over”, while American English adopts “over” or “on”.
At the weekend / Christmas (BrE)
Over the weekend / Christmas (BrE, AmE)
On the weekend / Christmas (AmE)
(2) Omitting preposition[8]2
In British English, before “day”, “week” or “certain day”, preposition “on” shall be used, while it is not so in American English.
The new term begins on September 1. (BrE)
The new term begins September 1. (AmE)
I’ll see you on Monday. (BrE)
I’ll see you Monday. (AmE)
In American English, when “home” is used as an adverb, the preposition “at” is not needed. But, in British English, “at” is required before “home”. Hence, “at home” is used in British English.
Is he home? (AmE)
Is he at home? (BrE)
3.1.3.2 Different use of auxiliary verb
In linguistics, an auxiliary is a verb functioning to give further semantic or syntactic information about the main or full verb following it. There are three types: Modal auxiliaries,have and go.
No matter in the frequency or the tendency of auxiliary verb, AmE differs from BrE. Their differences are stated as follows:.
(1)shall
Shall in BrE, is widely used in the fist person to raise questions, answer questions ,or to express future, while in AmE it is only used in the law file or informal style paper. In formal style paper, people usually use will or should. Such as:
Br.E:1)I shall tell you later.
Am.E:1)I will tell you later.
2)Shall I drink this now?
2)Should I drink this now?
(2)would[9]2
Would has two special usages in AmE, firstly it can show the usual action in the past. such as: When I was small, I would go there everyday.
However in BrE, the past tense or used to can express the past uaual action, therefore in BrE the above sentence should be changed into: When I was small, I went there everyday. Or When I was wmall, I used to go there everyday.
Secondly, would in AmE can express hypothesis in some informal language, quite like a kind of subjunctive mood, however in BrE not.
Try to compare:
Am.E:1)I wish I would have done it.
2)If I would have seen one, I would have bought it for you.
Br.E(it also the same with AmE):1)I wish I had done it.
2)If I had seen one, I would have bought it for you.
In Br.E, “would” and “will” can express suppose, while in Am.E the auxiliary verb “should” and “must” express supposition. Try to compare:
Br.E:1)That will be the postman at the door.
2)That would be zhongshan Road over there.
Am.E: 1)That must be (should be)the mailman at the door.
2)That should be(must be)Zhongshan Rood over there.
(3)used to
“Used to” in AmE is not seen as Modal auxiliary, but seen as notional word. To the opposite, in Br.E, used to is just seen as modal auxiliary, can offer or deny questions, also can be used as notional word but people use “do” to offer or deny questions. For example:
1)He used to go there.(notional verb)
Did he use to go there.(notional verb)
2)Used he to go there.(auxiliary verb)
He used not to go there.(auxiliary verb)
(4)ought to[9]6
“Ought to” is widely used in BrE to raise or deny questions, but in AmE use “should” to substitute for it, such as:
Br.E:1)Ought we to eat lunch?
Am.E:1)Should we eat lunch?
2)You ought not(oughtn’t) to have said that. 2)You shouldn’t have said that.
In AmE, ought to and used to are all used as notional verbs in the informal papers and such forms are said to be not standard forms. For example:
1)Did you ought to say that?
2)You didn’t ought to have said that.
(5) Different use of the indefinite pronoun “one”
In BrE we can use “one” to indicate the “one” of the former writing again while in AmE we usually use “he” or “his” to instead the “one” of the former writing. For instance:
One cannot succeed unless one works hard.(BrE)
One cannot succeed unless he works hard.(AmE)
3.1.3.3 Differences in articles[19]
(1)The omitting of articles
Most phrases of British English have articles, while those of American English do not have. The “the” in the standard expressions in British English “all the afternoon”, “all the winter”, “all the week”, “this time of the year”, ect. But the articles are usually omitted in American English. For example:
The swimming pools are open all summer.
I’ll be here all afternoon.
He has been gone all week.
British English will use articles in front of “sickness”, “river” and etc., while American English does not. For example,
British English expresses in the form of “the measles”, “the mumps”, “the flu”, “the Niagara Falls” and “the Black Creek”, while American English says “measles”, “mumps”, “flu”, “Niagara Falls” and “Black Creek”.
However, there are exceptions. In some expressions, British English does not use articles, while American English does.
BrE AmE
Go into hospital Go into the hospital
In hospital In the hospital
At university At the university
Sentences are as follows:
Next day, the rain began. (BrE)
The next day, the rain began. (AmE)
In future, I’d like you to pay more attention to detail. (BrE)
In the future, I’d like you to pay more attention to detail. (AmE)
(2) The position of articles
British English and American English are different from each other in the use of “a” or “an” with “half”. In British English, “a” follows “half”, for example, “half a dozen”, “half an hour”, “half a mile”, and “half a pound”. In American English, “a” is put in front of “half”, for example, “a half dozen”, “a half hour”, “a half mile” and “a half pound”.
3.2 Syntactical differences
Syntax is the study of the principles and rules for constructing sentences in natural languages. The sentence is the highest rank of grammatical unit. Based on one or more than one clause, the sentence is also the basic linguistic unit of connected discourse; it can stand alone and perform a function in social communication. Thus, a sentence can be defined as a grammatical unit that can perform a communicative function. I will explain the syntactic differences as follows.
3.2.1Differences in compound object[20]
The Verb“ -to do” usually used as compound object in British English, While past participle or past participle phrase mostly used as compound object in American English. Try to compare:
1)He also had ordered his luggage to be labeled for crew.(Bronte.) (BrE)
2)Last year an American hotel manager ordered his quests evacuated after an anonymous bomb threat.(AmE)
3)I have a roll that was in dead storage during the war which I ordered put back in running order. (O' Hara) (AmE)
The two compound structures (compound object with past participle and compound object with –to do) are both used in the BrE and AmE, while the AmE use compound object more frequent ly than BrE. However, there are some differences in the routine usage of Verb related to this phrase structure. The verb “to order” usually linked with the compound structure with past participle in AmE, but linked with the compound structure with “verb -to do” in BrE.
3.2.2 Presence or absence of syntactic elements[11]
Where a statement of intention involves two separate activities, it is acceptable for speakers of AmE to use to go plus bare infinitive. Speakers of BrE would instead use to go and plus bare infinitive. Thus, where a speaker of AmE might say I'll go take a bath, BrE speakers would say I'll go and have a bath. (Both can also use the form to go to instead to suggest that the action may fail, as in He went to take/have a bath, but the bath was full of children.) Similarly, to come plus bare infinitive is acceptable to speakers of AmE, where speakers of BrE would instead use to come and plus bare infinitive. Thus, where a speaker of AmE might say come see what I bought, BrE speakers would say come and see what I've bought (notice the present perfect tense: a common British preference).
As to whether a preposition is used before days denoted by a single word, British people would say she resigned on Thursday, while Americans often say she resigned Thursday, but both forms are common in American usage. Occasionally, in AmE the preposition is also absent when referring to months: I'll be here December (although this usage is generally limited to colloquial speech).But, it will say “I’ll be here on December.” in BrE.
In the UK, from is used with single dates and times more often than in the United States. Where British speakers and writers may say the new museum will be open from Tuesday, Americans most likely say the new museum will be open starting Tuesday. (This difference does not apply to phrases of the pattern from A to B, which are used in both BrE and AmE.) A variation or alternative of this is the most American will say “the play opens Tuesday” and the most British will say “the play opens on Tuesday”. American legislators and lawyers always use the preposition of between the name of a legislative act and the year it was passed, while their British colleagues do not. We can see such differences by making comparison between Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
3.2.3 Different use of subjunctive mood
The subjunctive mood used more in AmE than in BrE, which is mainly used in the formal style paper.
In subjunctive mood, American English will rarely reserve traditional subjunctive words.
I suggest that meeting be postponed. (AmE)
I suggest that meeting should be postponed. (BrE)
I wish I had done it. (AmE)
I wish I would have done it. (BrE)
4. The grammatical differences between British English and the special form of American English—Black English
Black English also called African American Vernacular English which is an African American variety (dialect, ethnolect and sociolect) of American English.There are four points in which black English differs from British English.
1)Negation
In addition, negatives are formed differently from standard American English:
Use of ain't as a general negative indicator. It can be used where Standard English would use am not, isn't, aren't, haven't and hasn't, a trait which is not specific to AAVE. However, in marked contrast to other varieties of English in the U.S., some speakers of AAVE also use ain't instead of don't, doesn't, or didn't (e.g., I ain't know that).[14] Ain't had its origins in common English, but became increasingly stigmatized since the 19th century. See also amn't.
Negative concord, popularly called "double negation", as in I didn't go nowhere; if the sentence is negative, all negatable forms are negated. This contrasts with Standard English, where a double negative is considered a positive (although this wasn't always so; see double negative). There is also "triple" or "multiple negation", as in the phrase I don't know nothing about no one no more, which would be "I don't know anything about anybody anymore" in Standard English.
In a negative construction, an indefinite pronoun such as nobody or nothing can be inverted with the negative verb particle for emphasis (eg. Don't nobody know the answer, Ain't nothin' goin' on.)
While these are features that AAVE has in common with Creole languages,[15] Howe and Walker use data from early recordings of African Nova Scotian English, Samaná English, and the recordings of former slaves to demonstrate that negation was inherited from nonstandard colonial English.
Some of these characteristics, notably doubl e negatives and the omission of certain auxiliaries such as the has in has been are also characteristic of general colloquial American English.
2)The omission of copula in black English
You crazy! ("You're crazy") or She my sister ("She's my sister"). The phenomenon is also observed in questions: Who you? ("Who're you?") and Where you at? ("Where are you (at)?"). On the other hand, a stressed is cannot be dropped: She is my sister.
Only the forms is and are (the latter of which, in any case, is often replaced by is) can be omitted. These forms cannot be omitted when they are pronounced with a stress (whether or not the stress serves specifically to impart an emphatic sense to the verb's meaning).
These forms cannot be omitted when the corresponding form in Standard English cannot show contraction (and vice-versa). For example, I don't know where he is cannot be reduced to (BrE) I don't know where he because in Standard English the corresponding reduction I don't know where he's is likewise impossible. (Though I don't know where he at is possible.) Possibly some other minor conditions apply as well.[16]
3)Present-tense verbs uninflected for number/person
there is no -s ending in the present-tense third-person singular. Example: She write poetry ("She writes poetry"). Similarly, was is used for what in standard English are contexts for both was and were.[17]
4)The word it or is denoting the existence of something
This usage is equivalent to Standard English there in "there is", or "there are". It is also found in the English of the US South. Examples its a doughnut in the cabinet ("There's a doughnut in the cabinet") and It ain't no spoon ("There isn't a spoon", also "They ain't no spoon").[17]
5) Altered syntax in questions
Why they ain't growin'? ("Why aren't they growing?") and Who the hell she think she is? ("Who the hell does she think she is?") lack the inversion of standard English. Because of this, there is also no need for the auxiliary DO.[18]
To put it simply, we can summarize the grammatical differences between British and American daily English as follows[19]:
(1) Sometimes, British and American English use different grammatical forms to express the same meaning;
(2) Sometimes, the same grammatical form expresses different meanings in British and American English;
(3) In some structures, either British English or American English will use integrated grammatical form, while the other adopts the omitted form;
(4) Sometimes, American and British English use the same grammatical form to express the same concept and meaning.
However, one of them may have another expression form, while the other does not. We could only avoid misunderstanding by paying attention to those differences in our study.
5. The tendency of the development of British English and American English
The English language changes as the rapid development of politics, economic, culture in Britain and American. After it goes through the three periods (old English, middle English and modern English),it also changes everyday, especially in the related ten years, the changes of English becomes more obvious. Although the English structure is not as obvious as the lexical development, it does not ignore. On the aspect of grammar, English experience the changes from the verb inflections of old English to use word in order to express meaning in the past 1500years, and English also become analytic language from synthetic language. Such experience makes English flexible, meanwhile it also broke the traditional grammar frame, the former disagreed rules transferred into acceptable English even native English. The speed on renewing lexical words is very fast.
On the whole, British English and American English fuse with each other, and they tend to be brief, clear and more flexible for use.
6.Conclusion
As the globalization and information world developed, more and more people from different countries use the same language―English to communicate and exchange ideas with each other. The above discussion about grammar difference between British English and American English is what I have found and concluded. Although there are many differences in detailed aspects in the use of daily British and American English, they are similar to each other in most of aspects. Therefore, they shall only be considered as different forms of the same language rather than two different languages. In addition, we cannot say which one is better or advanced. Any judgment or opinion that “British English is better or worse than American English” is biased. The purpose of this paper is to help English learners understand the two varieties better and eliminate some mistakes caused in communication or paper writing.
The differences between the British English and American English are caused by politics, economy, social life, culture, and geography. American English developed from British English, but it differs from British English. All in all, sinc e English is characterized by its huge vocabulary, great tolerance, and conciseness, it leaves little room for argument that English will be well on its way to be a diversified common language.
Acknowledgements
My initial thanks go to my supervisor Zhu Min, who patiently supervised my dissertation and was at times very willing to offer me illuminating advice or suggestions. Without her help, I could not have finished this dissertation.
I am also indebted to other teachers and my classmates who have not only offered me their warm encouragements but also shared with me their ideas and books. They are Mao Can、Gao YunPing and many others.
My greatest personal debt is to my grandparents and parents, who have cultivated a soul of sensitivity, hospitality, and honesty out of me, and offered a harbor of happiness and sweetness for me.
The remaining weakness and possible errors of the dissertation are entirely my own.
References
[1] 周乐, 美式英语与英式英语比较与分析[J]. 湖南商学院外语系,2008.
[2] Wikipedia Contributors
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_English_language
[3] blog.languagetranslation.com/public/item/118655
[4] 王振明和公丽艳,英式英语与美式英语的差异[J]. 山东教育学院学报,2002.
[5] esl.about.com/od/toeflieltscambridge/a/dif_ambrit.htm
[6]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_differences#Use_of_tenses
[7] 孟宪友,英语与美语的差别对比研究[J]. 广州大学外国语学院英语系,2002.
, Jour.of N.W. SCI-TECH Uni.of Agri.and Fore,2001.
, Journal of Shijiazhuang Teachers College,2001
, Journal of Wuhu Vocational Institute of Technology,2007
[11]Wikipedia Contributors
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_differences
, Journal of Hunan Agricultural University(Social Sciences), 2007
[13]张振邦,新编语法教程[M].上海,上海教育出版社,1993
, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
[15] Winford, Donald (1992), "Back to the past: The BEV/creole connection revisited", Language Variation and Change 4 (3): 311-357
[16] Geoff Pullum, "Why Ebonics Is No Joke" Lingua Franca transcript, 17 October 1998, Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
[17] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_Vernacular_English#Negation
[18] Green, Lisa J., African American English: A Linguistic Introduction[M], Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002
[关键词]应用型本科;毕业论文改革;课程设置;撰写形式
[中图分类号]H193.6[文献标识码]A[文章编号]1672-8610(2016)01-0132-03
本科毕业论文是实现本科培养目标要求的重要教学环节,也是检验学生综合素质与实践能力培养效果的手段,还是评价学校教育质量和办学水平的重要标尺。独立学院作为我国高等学校本科办学模式的新生力量,主要以培养素质高、能力强、会创新、能创业的高级应用型人才为目标。毕业论文反映独立学院内涵建设的水平,关系学校的办学声誉和可持续发展。
一、问题的提出与研究现状
目前,我国高校大部分独立学院都以“应用型”作为人才培养主要目标之一,课程设置方面也在一定程度上做出了与母体学校相区别的设置,但在毕业论文这一环节却多半没有明显的区分度,尤其是文科语言类的专业,依然以撰写学术论文的形式存在。学习过程中侧重实践与应用,但在毕业论文环节又绕回到了重理论与学术研究的状态,此种矛盾不仅困扰了众多的学生,也令许多论文指导老师一筹莫展。学生在撰写毕业论文的过程中困难重重,较常见的问题有:科研经验不足、科研兴趣偏低、选题困难、难以创新等。论文指导老师抱怨较多的方面则是:学生逻辑论证能力差、阅读量太少、科研语言表达能力欠缺、学术论文格式规范度不高、畏难情绪严重、主动性不够等。从师生两方面反映的困难不难看出,诸多问题的存在与课程设置、学习过程中缺乏与撰写学术论文相应的支撑有密切关系。也可以理解为:毕业论文的撰写形式与培养过程中重实践与应用的模式不匹配。为此,相继有学者对独立学院的本科毕业论文改革展开研究。在知网的搜索显示,关于本科毕业论文改革的文章,以“独立学院毕业论文”为关键词的论文有22篇,时间段集中在2008年至2014年,平均每年为3.6篇。而以“独立学院英语专业毕业论文”为关键词的有关论文为3篇,研究角度集中在写作过程调查、问题与对策等方面。有青年学者提出以配音讲解作品替代学术论文的做法。[1]147-150也有学者认为毕业论文要与社会接轨。[2]123甚至还有学者对毕业论文与实习和就业一体化模式进行了探讨,主张毕业论文的选题与学生实习、就业紧密相关外,还提出学生可用外语类职业资格证书、国家级竞赛获奖证书等方式申请免撰写毕业论文。[3]99-102与此相对应的,公立院校针对本科毕业论文改革进行研究的论文则高达上万篇,时间也要久远得多,有专门针对理工科专业的,如《电子信息专业本科毕业论文改革实践》[4]84-87,也有专门针对文科专业的,如《毕业论文改革:高校新闻本科教育改革的切入点》。[5]110-112姑且不论独立学院是20世纪80年代的新生事物,但相关研究论文绝对量较少,是否就意味着独立学院毕业论文改革的重要性偏低,必要性不具备呢?答案是否定的。课题小组以南国商学院英语类本科专业2013届、2014届和2015届连续三届毕业生为研究对象开展的重点校级课题中所采集的有关数据显示:应用型本科学生的毕业论文改革势在必行。
二、项目研究设计
本课题的目的在于结合学校英语类本科专业毕业论文的现实情况,提出改革的方案,进行改革实践,推动独立学院本科毕业论文科学发展。据此,特拟定了如下研究内容:一是审视学校的人才培养模式和培养目标,究其是否与经济社会的发展需求相吻合;二是考察本专业的人才培养方案,看其中的课程设置是否与学生必须具备的知识结构和能力结构相冲突。三是采取试验实践的方法,了解学生对其他形式的毕业设计是否感兴趣,具体做法包括:引导学生在大学期间积极写作,争取在省级及以上刊物公开;鼓励翻译专业的学生从事翻译实践并撰写翻译体会;提倡商务英语专业的学生开展市场调查并撰写调研报告;帮助英语专业的学生从事跨文化比较研究。
三、项目研究过程与研究结果
本课题研究的过程是通过审视学校人才培养方案和培养目标、考察专业人才培养方案和开展为期三年的试验实践的方式进行,最终通过分析试验和调查问卷数据,得出研究的结果。
(一)研究过程
1.审视学校人才培养方案和培养目标。审视学校的人才培养模式和培养目标,究其是否与经济社会的发展需求相吻合。学校以“通基础、精专业、强外语、重实践”为人才培养模式,致力于培养“应用型、复合型、外向型”人才。可见,在培养模式和培养目标方面总体上符合地区经济社会发展对独立学院人才培养的期望。2.考察专业人才培养方案。考察本专业的人才培养方案,看其中的课程设置是否与学生必须具备的知识结构和能力结构相冲突。2013届的英语专业人才培养方案中,在三年级之前阅读和写作课程分别开设了两个学期,之后再无写作课程。也就是课程设置中并无有关学术论文写作的课程,但学生毕业之时要求撰写毕业论文。2014届和2015届的人才培养方案中,阅读和写作课程依然在低年级各开设了两个学期,但在三年级第二学期均开设了文献检索与论文写作课程。这意味着学生刚开始学习如何撰写学术论文就要开始撰写毕业论文了。此外,学校本科毕业论文(设计)工作管理办法中明确规定了论文指导老师的职责和毕业论文的格式等主要内容,可以理解为撰写学术论文是完成毕业论文的唯一形式。显然,专业人才培养方案中的课程设置与毕业检测形式不匹配,与应用型人才的培养目标不一致。3.开展毕业论文改革实践。针对人才培养方案的不足,在毕业论文论文撰写阶段采取试验实践的方法,帮助学生开展不同形式的论文撰写,突出实践性和应用性。一是引导学生在大学期间积极写作,争取在省级及以上刊物公开。凡是在本学科省级(含以上)刊物发表文章、译文的,且文章字数与毕业论文字数相当(约5000字),无论文章使用的语言是中文还是英文,只要在答辩前出刊,均可直接参与全英文答辩。选择公开的同学在开题时填写《本科毕业设计计划书》,内容要素与毕业论文开题报告书有较大不同,内容有“拟撰写字数”、“论文内容概要”、“拟发表刊物等级”和“进程安排”等方面。计划书通过后,在论文指导老师的引导下,完成论文的撰写与发表,最后经学院学术委员会审定能达到毕业论文要求的,允许参与答辩。二是鼓励翻译专业的学生从事翻译实践并撰写翻译体会。翻译专业的人才培养目标是培养能熟练使用翻译工具,能够胜任不同文体文本的笔译、口译工作的应用型高级专门人才。由此可见,翻译是毕业生必备的技能,鼓励学生从事翻译实践无疑具有很强的职业预备性。翻译资料的方式可以是中译英,也可以是英译中,原始翻译资料的总字数需达到3000字以上。译文被公司采纳的学生,需结合翻译实践撰写2000字左右的全英文论述文章,经论文指导老师审定合格后,可以凭借书面的采纳证明申请参与全英文答辩,答辩时还需提供翻译原件和译稿。选择从事翻译实践的同学在开题时填写《本科毕业设计计划书》,计划书的内容要素有翻译类型选择“英译中/中译英”、翻译字数选择“1500字汉译英+1500字英译汉/3000字汉译英/3000字英译汉”、“拟翻译的内容概要”和“翻译公司的相关信息”(需提供相关证明材料)。三是提倡商务英语专业的学生开展市场调查并撰写调研报告。商务英语专业的人才培养目标是培养能在国际环境中熟练使用英语从事经贸、管理、金融等领域商务工作的应用型高级专门人才。而近年来对毕业生就业开展的跟踪调查表明:有相当一部分毕业生会从事与市场有关的工作。因此本项目提倡学生结合专业实习撰写有关的调研文章或论述文章,且字数、文章质量与毕业论文相当时,经审定能达到毕业论文要求的,视为完成毕业论文,最后参与全英文答辩。在此过程中,选择撰写调研报告的同学在开题时填写《本科毕业论文(设计)开题报告》,与撰写普通学术论文相同,但要求学生通过制定调查问卷,收集下翔实的数据,文中就调查问卷所取得的数据进行统计分析,得出相关结论,且调查问卷需附在正文之后,供答辩小组成员参考。四是帮助英语专业的学生从事跨文化比较研究。根据人才培养方案的要求,英语专业的学生需具有较强的英语语言运用能力和跨文化交际能力,因此,通过适度的问卷调查从事跨文化比较研究也是比较贴近实际、提升学生语言运用能力的手段之一。对三届毕业生的选题进行分析发现,在导师的指导下,大量学生从事跨文化比较研究,类似的选题如:《英汉广告幽默文化对比》《中美灾难文化价值观异同》《中美商务谈判文化风格差异对比》和《中美企业文化差异对比》等。事实上,这些选题被学生认为易于撰写,并且完成得较好。五是告知学生还可用反映本科毕业研究水平的其他形式替代毕业论文的撰写。其他与专业相关的创新设计,字数、质量与毕业论文相当,经审定达到毕业论文要求的形式均可由学生开展。如与在省级(含以上)刊物公开相当的有主持或者参与省级大学生创新项目;与参与翻译实践相当的有参加省级(含以上)口、笔译大赛并获奖;通过国家级职业资格证书考试等等。视具体情况,由学生提出申请,学院学术委员会讨论通过,经审定合格的,均可视为达到毕业论文的水平。
(二)研究结果
1.改革实践数据统计。2013级305名毕业生中,有4人参与了翻译实践,占毕业人数的1.3%。2014届200名毕业生中,共有42人参与毕业论文改革实践。其中7人在公开刊物,占毕业人数的3.5%;35人从事翻译实践,占毕业人数的17.5%。参与毕业论文改革实践的学生总体比例为21%。2015届290名毕业生中,共有66人参与毕业论文改革实践,其中2人在公开刊物上发表文章,占毕业人数的0.6%,51人从事翻译实践,占毕业人数的17.6%,15人进行调查研究,占毕业人数的5%,参与毕业论文改革实践的学生总体比例为23.3%。三年的数据表明,参与毕业论文改革实践的学生绝对人数及比例呈逐年上升趋势。2.问卷调查数据分析。由于2015届为学院迄今为止毕业生人数较多、参与毕业论文改革人数最多的年级,故选择作为本次问卷调查的对象。问卷以不定项选择题和开放式问答题的形式,就“独立学院的大学生有无必要完成毕业论文?”,“毕业论文撰写方面遇到何种问题?”,以及“最希望以何种形式完成毕业论文?”等十项内容进行调查。经过对调查问卷收集的数据进行分析发现:学生普遍承认完成毕业论文是必要的、的确有利于综合素质的培养、也有利于科研能力的提升,并且对于英语表达能力的培养也有明显帮助;但资料贫乏、科研经验不足、语言表达跟不上和难以创新凸显了教学与检测的不对接。绝大部分学生认为现有的毕业论文形式的确需要进行改革,要实现教学内容与毕业检测的全面对接;有学生认为实践能力远比科研能力重要,学校需要对所开的专业课程进行相应改变以对接毕业论文改革。且不论学生看问题有无偏颇,从对人才培养方案的考察来看,学生要求教学内容与毕业检测对接的要求无疑是正确的。3.有待解决的问题。研究中反馈的问题包括三个方面:第一,在省级(含以上)刊物公开的学生均是使用中文撰写,虽然答辩时使用的是英文,但并不能完全说明其使用英文撰写毕业论文的能力也达到了相应的水平。是否要求学生在省级(含以上)刊物发表全英文的文章还有待进一步商榷。第二,根据论文指导老师的反馈,从事翻译实践的同学所翻译的译文初稿水平并不能达到相应要求,都需要指导老师的大力修改方能达到公司期望的水准。虽说在反复修改的过程中,学生的翻译能力也会因此而提高,但指导老师认为译稿的最终水平并非学生真实翻译能力的体现。如果委托公司借此聘用学生担任正式的翻译,日后在无教师指导下的翻译水平能否保证还有待考证。第三,暂时还未对反映本科毕业研究水平的其他形式进行实践研究,也没有学生提出相关置换申请。课题组成员认为,毕业检测的形式应该没有穷尽。从研究的结果中发现,对于以“应用型”作为人才培养主要目标之一的独立学院的英语类专业学生而言,虽然更看重自身实践能力的培养,但恰当的科研对于提高其综合的语言能力和研究能力有着不可或缺的作用。有关教学与检测对接问题的探索,不仅需要在课程设置方面开展研究,也需要在毕业论文的撰写形式方面积极改革,更需要对不同形式的毕业检测进行利弊分析,力争使教学过程与教学检测相一致,理论学习与实践应用相一致,在校学习与求职就业相一致,最终实现毕业论文撰写形式多样化、方式合理化、效果显著化的目标,提高独立学院的本科人才培养质量。
【参考文献】
[1]郭庆,黄运婷.英语专业本科毕业论文改革的研究与实践[J].太原师范学院学报(社会科学版),2013(3).
[2]奚道同,等.民办高校毕业论文(设计)改革方向研究[J].山西财经大学学报,2013,35(1).
[3]王淼.独立学院英语专业本科毕业论文、实习、就业一体化模式探索[J].海外英语,2014(6).
[4]成强,张奇惠.电子信息专业本科毕业论文改革实践[J].绍兴文理学院学报,2010,30(7).
英语专业本科毕业论文撰写是高校本科教学 的最后一个重要阶段,也是评价学生是否能够顺利 毕业的重要指标之一。2000年颁布的《高等学校 英语专业英语教学大纲》强调了毕业论文的重要 性:“毕业论文是考察学生综合能力、评估成绩的 一个重要方式”[1]。同时,大纲还进一步明确了毕 业论文的要求。根据《大纲》,各个髙校也纷纷对 英语专业本科毕业论文撰写制定了具体的要 求。[2]
然而,笔者在对本校英语专业学生论文管理过 程中却发现,对于论文学术不端检测还有很多学生 甚至部分教师都不太清楚其目的及意义,对待学术 不端问题怠慢。许多高校都出现学生忽视学术不 端问题,仍然拼拼凑凑,复制他人成果的情况。[3]
因此笔者以本校2014届205名英语专业毕业生论 文学术不端检测报告为研究对象,对学生毕业论文 复制比的特征进行分析,从而找到英语本科生在撰 写论文过程中所存在的问题及原因。
一、论文复制比的主要比例分配
对于毕业论文复制比,每所高校的要求都略有 不同,对于本校的要求,所有的毕业论文经学术不 端检测,检测结果雷同率或文字复制比率在30% (含30%)以内的视为合格,超过30%的视为不合 格。超过30%的论文,必须经过严格整改,否则取 消学生答辩资格。由此可见,高校对学生学术不端 的行为都有着严格的规章制度。笔者通过对205 名学生论文的学术不端检测报告进行分析,得出以 下主要比例分配:
由表一可以看出,在205名学生中,95%的学 生基本上都可以按照要求通过学术不端检测,而且 有73%的学生复制比都在10%以内,只有少部分 学生(5% )未能通过检测,但其中有一名学生论文 复制比居然达到96%。因此,虽然说大部分都可以达到要求,但就未通过的学生而言,出现的 问题也不容忽视。
二、论文复制比的主要特征
就学生论文复制比的主要特征而言,笔者根据 本校的毕业论文学术不端检测要求,以复制比小于30% (含30% )和大于30%为基本两个组,分别分 析两组中学生论文复制比的主要特征。
(一) 复制比小于30% (含30% )
1. 正文外内容。从论文基本结构上看,除正文 部分以外,还包括标题、目录、参考文献、致谢以及 附录部分。就正文外的内容而言,通过分析,笔者 发现65%的学生抄袭现象主要集中在致谢部分, 甚至个别学生还存在致谢部分全部抄袭的情况。 另外,少部分学生对论文的目录以及附录部分也存 在雷同的情况,但通过论文分析,此部分并不是所 谓的抄袭,尤其是附录部分,因为学生会把引用别 人的问卷附在文后,但已标明出处。
2. 正文部分。通过分析,84%的学生论文正 文的复制处主要集中在文献综述以及总结部分。 对于文献综述部分,尤其是对定义解释以及研究回 顾部分的复制抄袭比例非常高,就这部分字数而 言,基本上都在600字以上。而且从该部分具体内 容上看,大部分学生由于对理论概念的不理解,因 此无法用自己的语言进行转述或者总结,只能完全 重复别人的文字。另外,综述部分更是重复别人观 点,但只述不评。从总结部分来看,学生的总结并 不是对自己研究结果的概括和提炼,反而是直接借 用他人的总结性话语,因而存在大量重复抄袭的 情况。
3. 复制来源。100%的学生复制的来源主要 是本科生或者研究生论文以及网络资源,尤其是百 度文库中的资料。虽然有少部分的学生复制出处 来源于期刊文章,但大多以中文为主。
(二) 复制比大于30%
1. 文献引用。从论文总体上来看,对重复抄 袭的部分学生几乎都没有给出相关引证文献。除 此之外,11个学生的参考文献部分都存在大量的 复制抄袭。
2. 正文部分。除了上述所提及的部分以外, 11个学生的论文在introduction部分同样存在复制 抄袭。从报告单中还看出,这部分学生对 参考文献和研究方法部分也存在严重的抄袭。
3. 复制来源。与上述相同,11个学生的重复 抄袭部分都来源于论文或者网络资料。
三、原因分析
通过对英语专业学生论文学术不端检测报告 进行分析,不难看出,即使大部分学生都顺利通过
了检测,有的学生的复制率甚至为0,但通过对其 复制比特征的分析以及对学生的访谈调查,笔者发 现其中存在多方面的原因。
(一) 学生写作能力欠佳
在听说读写译的技能中,“写”属于输出技能, 也是较难的一个技能。通过对学生论文进行分析, 笔者发现,从总体上来看,学生对英语基础知识的 掌握仍不牢固,论文中出现了大量的语法错误,严 重制约了他们的语言表达能力。
(二) 学生学术水平较低
众所周知,学术论文写作无论是在整体结构上 还是在语言使用上都与普通作文有所不同。尽管 许多高校都开设有学术论文写作课,但许多学生对 学术论文写作概念十分模糊,仍然不清楚应该做什 么,应该怎样做。尤其是复制比超过30%的学生 甚至在总体介绍及参考文献部分进行复制抄袭,可 见其并未真正理解什么是论文写作,就连论文中的 参考文献部分基本结构都不清楚。
(三) 学生信息技术能力不高
通过对学生复制来源分析,大部分的资料来源 于研究生的毕业论文以及网络资料。另外,学生在 文献综述部分,大部分的文献都来自中文文献,而 且通过访谈,许多学生都反映找不到英文文献。总 所周知,文献搜索技能在学术论文写作中是必不可 少的,不仅需要找到相关文献,更是需要对这些文 献进行综合评述。但通过调查,许多学生所使用的 搜索方式集中于中国知网以及百度两种,这也导致 了他们收集的资料较为单一。
(四) 指导教师对学生的论文写作指导不够
许多学生的论文在提交检测时仍然发现不少 的问题,如论文整体结构以及语法方面存在许多的 问题。甚至有学生的论文复制比达到96%。由此 可以看出,除了学生本身存在的问题以外,指导教 师对学生的指导也存在疏忽,没有发挥真正意义上 的指导以及监督的作用。
四、总结
通过对学术不端检测报告单以及学生的访谈 分析,不难看出,英语专业本科生毕业论文撰写存 在许多的问题。学生的论文复制比高与其学术论 文写作能力以及资料搜索、整理等多方面的能力都 有关系。另外,指导教师的指导监督力度不够也造 成了学生对论文写作不重视,态度不端正的情况。对此问题的解决,不仅需要相关任课教师,论文指 导教师以及学生的共同努力,更需要学校建立健全 相关制度来加大监管力度。
作者:沈萍
在正式撰写毕业论文之前,学生要写出开题报告,以便指导老师能根据学生对文献的综述和对所选论题的认识,确定其可行性。
开题报告是作者将自己初步选定的题目之内容、思想等,以书面形式向毕业论文答辩委员会的导师和听众作一书面汇报和简要说明。
写开题报告目的:一是作者能将所选课题的内容框架、研究现状、选题意义、重难点和创新点、文化结构、主要引征材料及参考书目作一总体思路的勾划,作者对该选题的前因后果,来龙去脉进行有序的组合清理,为撰写毕业论文作好充分准备。二是作者能广泛听取他人的宝贵意见,并在此基础上重新理顺论文思路,使其结构更趋完整,内容更趋翔实。
开题报告的基本组成部分
1、毕业论文题目
论文题目用中英文撰写,汉语在前,英语在后。目的是限定毕业论文的大致范围和方向,即论题。应力求简明扼要,引人注目。一般不超过15—20字。必要时可使用副标题。
2、本选题的研究目的
以中学英语教学法方向为例,则须说明要解决英语教与学,理论与实践等方面的哪些问题,这些问题应是在教学实践中比较突出又难以解决的问题;或是前人从未解决的,并且能填补某一领域的空白的问题。
3、本选题在国内外同行业中的研究现状
国内外学者对该选题曾作过哪些方面的相关研究,本课题在国内外研究中处于何等地位?是属于未开拓的领域,还是在前人已经研究过的基础上作深层次的研究?国内外有哪些论文、论著涉及到本选题的内容?
4、研究本选题的动机及意义
提出本选题的根据是什么?为什么提出这个选题?本选题的研究有什么意义?从理论的角度看,本选题有哪些方面的突破,其价值取向是什么?本选题与相关领域之间的关系如何?对英语教学会起什么作用?从实践的角度看,本选题是否有助于英语教师和学生把握教与学的动向,使人们在英语教与学的过程中少走弯路,是否有利于提高英语教学质量?
5、本选题研究的主要观点、内容、重点和难点
本选题研究有哪几个重要观点,其特点是什么?研究的重点在哪几个方面?研究的难点在何处?怎样从理论与实践出发,对英语教学进行更深入的理论探讨?如何结合英语教学实际对改进英语教学作对策思考?本选题有哪几个新观点?是否填补了国内外同行业研究中的空白?
6、本选题的撰写框架
框架可用提纲形式表述,一般构成如下:
引言:提出问题、摆明观点。
论点:分析问题与阐明自己的观点。大致包括:问题的原因及危害性;解决问题的重要性和必要性;从理论上来论证问题的解决方法,并联系教学实际阐述解决问题的策略与做法。另外,利用实际数据作为论据,证明方法的有效性。
结论:通过对问题的分析论证,其结果如何?对人们在英语教与学中有何指导意义?有哪些方面需要继续研究的?它还有什么不足之处?
参考书目:参考书目一般是英文参考书在前,中文参考书在后,以字母拼音顺序排列。
7、研究基础
作者在选择该题之前作过哪些方面的学习、研究或写过什么文章?说明能如期完成毕业论文撰写的理由。
8、研究方法
常见的研究方法包括:观察、调查、描述、实验、实证、文献、个案研究、比较研究、经验总结、实践反思、测量、量化、行动研究、表列、图示、内容分析等方法。例如:实验的方法就是对英语教学班级进行实验对比;调查的方法就是通过调查表、询问、问答等形式寻找解决问题的方法。
一个课题根据具体情况可能需要一种或多种研究方法。
9、撰写步骤及阶段任务
包括:选题及开题报告初稿、正式开题报告及提纲、完成初稿、二稿、三稿、定稿等、何时论文答辩等。
开题报告中文范例
标题: 英语隐喻汉译
(On Translating English Metaphors into Chinese)
1) 本选题国内外研究现状
对隐喻的研究在国外已形成较为完整的体系,其中以Lakoff & Johnson (1987)的研究最具有代表性,而对于其汉译的研究却凤毛麟角。国内对于隐喻的研究主要受Lakoff & Johnson理论的影响,其中以胡壮麟、朱永生为主要代表。在隐喻翻译的研究方面,李国南(1990),胡文仲(1994)对于英汉成语或谚语中的习用性比喻的喻体进行过比较,并探讨了其翻译的途经。在近期出版的刊物中有对队喻翻译研究方面的文章,其中以徐莉娜的《隐喻的翻译》为主要代表。但其研究的范围也只是局限于文学、修辞用语的隐喻翻译。
2)本选题的意义、重点、难点及创新点
意义:本选题突破了历来将隐喻的汉译局限在诗学、修辞学、文学等范畴。由于“翻译是跨语言、跨文化的交际活动”(陈宏薇:1996),翻译对各民族之间文化的传播起着非常重要贡献的作用。我们对日常用语中隐喻的汉译研究应与英语语言文化背景的研究结合起来。
重点:本选题重在研究隐喻在英语日常用语中存在的普遍性、可译性及其翻译的方法。
难点:怎样从文化交际的角度对日常用语中的隐喻的汉译进行深入的理论探讨。
创新点:研究英语日常用语中的隐喻的汉译理论及其方法。
3)论文的结构及简要说明
1. 引言
2. 英语日常用语中隐喻存在的普遍性
2.1 隐喻的定义
2.2 关于隐喻研究的常用书语
2.3 英语日常用语中的隐喻
3. 英语日常用语中隐喻的特点
3.1 日常用语中隐喻的分类
3.1.1 习用语
3.1.2 新生隐喻
3.2 英语隐喻与汉语隐喻
3.3 英语日常用语中隐喻的可译性
4. 英语日常用语中的隐译汉译
4.1 翻译的标准
4.2 日常用语中隐喻汉译的难点
4.3 日常用语中隐语汉译的过程
4.4 日常用语中隐喻汉译的基本方法及原则
5. 日常用语中隐喻汉译的方法与技巧
5.1 直译法
5.2 意译法
5.3 转译法
5.4 直译和意译结合法
4) 参考书目
Brodkey, Linda. Review: The Language in Metaphors. ( College English Jan, v50 pp 89-94), 1988.
Jin Di & Eugene, A. Nida. On Translation. Beijing: China Translation Publishing Company, 1984.
Lakoff, G. & Johnson, M. Metaphors We Live by Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1987.
Nida, Eugene A. & William, Reyburn. Meaning Across Cultures, Maryknoll of N.Y. Orbis Book, 1981.
…
陈宏薇 《新实用汉译英教程》,武汉:湖北教育出版社,1996。
陈文伯 《英语成语和汉语成语》,北京:外语教学与研究出版社,1980。
邓炎昌、刘润清《语言与文化》,北京:外语教学与研究出版社,1989。
张培基等《英汉翻译教程》,上海:上海外语教育出版社,1983。
……
一、毕业论文撰写的要求
1 毕业论文要求科学性
无论是自然科学还是社会规律,必须根据科学研究这个总的任务,对研究的对象进行探讨,揭示规律。是科学的,经得起推敲的,独到见解也是建立在科学的基础上的。必须从客观实际出发,从中引出符合实际的结论,不得带有个人的好恶和偏见。在论据上作者必须经过周密的观察、实验或者阅读、思考。
2 毕业论文要求创见性
科学研究的任务是对新的知识的探求,在综合别人研究的成果的基础上去发现别人没有发现过或者没有涉及过的问题。科学研究的任务本身就决定了它必须去探索规律,必须实事求是。科学研究本身又蕴涵了创见性,就是在综合别人研究成果的基础上去发现别人没有发现过或者没有涉及过的问题。要有独到的见解,要发现一个新的创见。
3 毕业论文要求专业性
我们不同专业领域里的毕业生可以根据自己平时的积累和爱好选择题目,基本上都是在自己的专业领域内。不要离开自己的专业去写别的跨专业的。
4 毕业论文要求通俗性
尽管我们要求论文的专业性,但语言要求通俗,这样便于传播和交流。
二、毕业论文的选题原则
1 要选择有科学价值的问题,要选择亟待解决的课题,减少选题的盲目性。
2 利用灵感来选题
看别人的评论过程中打开自己的思路,进行选题。在你看书、观察或思考的过程中,你会发现这个角度我可以深入下去。考虑选题的大小、难易度和利用自己的灵感思维来选题。
三、毕业论文的写作
1 围绕着论题去占有和选择材料。
首先要进行写作前的准备工作。先要围绕着论题去占有和选择材料。也就是说,当你的论题已经确定以后,围绕着立论去占有材料,多多益善的去看。积累材料,再有论点。要对研究对象的外延材料占有。在有材料的基础上要选择材料。材料多的情况下,你就选更好的材料。
2 选择论文的类型
毕业论文的类型一是学术性论文,二是报告性论文。应用性比较少的科目来说比较容易做成学术型论文,应用性比较强的学科,论文一般写成调查性的或总结性的报告型论文。论文类型的选择,主要是看论文的对象。如果是宏观的,我们就用综述性的描述:如果是微观的,涉及到某一个具体作家作品或某一个问题,我们就选择论述性的。
3 要拟订论文的写作提纲
如果没有完整的写作提纲的话,逻辑思维就会出现偏差。把一个个提纲罗列出来,罗列出来以后看一下,总论点是什么,分论点是什么,围绕着总论点有几个分论点,分论点列出来了以后,一定要注意以纲带目。提纲、材料等出来以后,就可以进行论文写作了。
4 开始写论文的时候,要注意标题拟制
论文的标题拟制,一般是两个标题。如果是一个标题不太容易驾驭。一个标题往往是比较宏观一些。当然也可以用正标题来表示论题的观点,副标题表示研究的对象。题目拟制好了以后,论文还要注意要写摘要,把整个论文的主要内容说一下。在论文的扉页上,先是题目,题目下面是摘要。论文提要主要交代清楚选题的背景、理由,论文的观点和价值,简明扼要的揭示出来,便于读者(主要是导师、评委、编辑等)即使不阅读全文就可以获得最重要的信息。一般宇数不超过全文的5%.在摘要下面要有关键词。关键词把论文的主要观点用3到5个词提取出来。
5 论文的格式
论文的规格:正文长度800-2,000单词。使用的语言:英语论文正文部分:
(1)题目大写,三号字,新时代罗马宇,大写下面可写一个附标题,4号字;
(2)作者名,5号字,班级,学号
(3)指导教师名,5号字,职称
(4)摘要:300字左右,5号字,英文一页,中文一页
(5)关键词:不能用专有名词,词与词之间空四格,不加标点符号
(6)正文:用5号字,大部分标题用5号字黑体、小部分、小小部分。大部分用罗马字,小不分用一般数字符号。
(7)参考文献(Bibliog raphy):先英文,后中文,作者名,文章名,书刊名,出版社,地点,出版年月,
6 毕业论文质量标准
(1)选题恰当、与毕业生的知识水平与认识能力相当:
(2)内容丰富、资料翔实、论证充分有力.
(3)叙述清楚、层次清晰而丰富,
(四)语言表达正确,无拼写错误、语言错误控制在20-25%
英语文学毕业论文(设计)开题报告
中文题目
分析《看不见的人》中主人公的成长三部曲
英文题目
AnAnalysisoftheTrilogyofProtagonist’sGrowthinInvisibleMan
开题报告内容
1.选题背景(含国内外相关研究综述及评价)与意义。
对于成长和成长类型的小说,国外学者的理论研究层出不穷,如《麦田里的守望者》,《棕色的姑娘,棕色的砖房》等这些成长小说都有专门对它们的成长研究的相关文章。相比之下,我国以前的文学研究则有意无意忽视了成长小说,但近年来评论界对成长小说的重视有所加强。如我国就有芮渝萍的《美国成长小说研究》,专门对美国的成长小说做了系统全面的研究;还有周海燕的《论〈看不见的人〉的布鲁斯象征》对小说中布鲁斯的象征做了研究。
国外学者对《看不见的人》这部小说的主人公成长的研究还未专门涉及,国内学者对《看不见的人》的研究主要侧重于他的民族身份以及主人公的个性觉醒方面,例如唐晓钟的《文化冲突中寻求真正的存在-拉尔夫·埃里森〈看不见的人〉创作简论》也对《看不见的人》的找寻自我及存在方面提出了自己的观点和见解。但是关于这部小说的主人公的成长的研究却很少专门涉及。
论文具有一定的新颖性、学术性、现实性、前沿性、针对性,学术界越来越重视研究成长类型小说的成长过程,也希望能对《看不见的人》中主人公的成长过程提出自己的见解和观点,丰富对这一小说的研究。论文与社会、生活相结合,在研究小说主人公的成长过程方面与人们生活息息相关,有利于人们更好地体会生活,体验社会。
2.选题研究的方法与主要内容。
1、在收集资料,阅读相关文献的基础上,与指导教师讨论,共同确定选题,列出论文提纲,并拟采用比较法,分析法,推导论述法等方法进行论文撰写。
2、该论文主要从三个部分来研究《看不见的人》中主人公从迷惑,成长到顿悟的过程,通过分析综合总结的研究方法,试图从分析主人公认识到他自己以及所有黑人在白人社会中的不可见性以及黑人青年在白人社会中成长的艰辛方面,就揭示主人公从无知到成熟的成长过程的论题进行深入的探讨,皆在实现提出自己对《看不见的人》中主人公的成长过程的见解和观点,丰富国内外对成长类型小说研究的目的。
3.研究条件及可能存在的问题。
通过专业学习,具备基本英语语言技能和专业知识,拥有所选课题需要的部分资料和相关理论书籍,校图书馆和网络有丰富的资料可查询。同时,有导师的指导和帮助,能够顺利完成论文写作。
对于论文,可能存在的问题有相关文献和著作收集不足;理论理解、分析不够深刻、透彻;理论研究较为肤浅;理论联系实际不够;缺乏充分、全面的实践证明等问题。但论文尽量减少类似问题发生,尽量完善各方面。
参考文献:
Ellison,Ralph.InvisibleMan.Beijing:ForeignLanguageTeachingandResearchPress,2000.
Philips,Elizabeth.RalphEllison’sInvisibleMan.Beijing:ForeignLanguageTeachingandResearchPress,1997.
Pizer,Donald.TheCambridgecompaniontoAmericanRealismandNaturalism.Shanghai:ShanghaiForeignLanguageEducationPress,1997.
芮渝萍.美国成长小说研究.北京:中国社会出版社,2004.
拉尔夫·艾里森.看不见的人.任邵曾译,北京:外国文学出版社,1984.
唐晓钟.文化冲突中寻求真正的存在-拉尔夫·埃里森《看不见的人》创作简论.南京师范大学报,1990,1:107-111.
周海燕.论《看不见的人》的布鲁斯象征.浙江万里学报,2006,4:13-16.
4.拟解决的主要问题和预期效果。
论文主要试图研究《看不见的人》中主人公的成长过程,通过比较分析,归纳分析,推导论述的方法,从主人公迷惑、成长到顿悟过程的三个方面,分析黑人青年在白人社会中的不可见和黑人青年成长的艰辛的过程,从而探究在当时社会黑人处境的艰难和内心的蜕化,最终按照学士学位毕业论文的要求,完成3000到5000词左右的论文,并顺利通过答辩。
计划起止时间完成主要任务
2010年10月13日——2010年10月20日论文准备工作
2010年10月30日——2010年11月30日论文选题和收集资料
2010年12月1日——2010年12月20日开题报告、任务书和论文提纲填写
2011年1月1日——2011年3月15日完成论文初稿
2011年3月20日——2011年4月26日修改论文并定稿
2011年5月下旬——2011年6月论文答辩及其他工作
指导教师审核意见
论文主要研究《看不见的人》中主人公的成长过程,学生在写作过程中应认真查阅相关资料,运用综合分析等方式深入探讨主人公成长过程三部曲,并提出黑人在白人社会中的不可见性以及黑人青年在白人社会中成长的艰辛。该论文写作应严格按照进度计划进行,论文格式应该完全符合论文写作规范,并在规定时间内完成论文、顺利通过答辩。
指导教师签名:
年月日
本科毕业论文(设计)任务书
中文题目
分析《看不见的人》中主人公的成长三部曲
英文题目
AnAnalysisoftheTrilogyofProtagonist’sGrowthinInvisibleMan
题目来源
教师科研项目教师指定√学生自拟其他
基本任务
与要求
论文主题是分析《看不见的人》中主人公的成长三部曲,研究方向是英美文学方向。通过比较分析,归纳分析,推导论述的方法,从主人公迷惑、成长到顿悟过程的三个方面,结合社会背景,分析黑人青年在白人社会中的不可见和黑人青年成长的艰辛的过程,从而探究在当时社会黑人处境的艰难和内心的蜕化。严格规范论文格式,严禁抄袭。
拟解决主要问题及预期成果
论文从主人公的成长着手,研究主人公从迷惑、成长到顿悟的三个成长过程,分析主人公认识到他自己以及所有黑人在白人社会中的不可见性以及黑人青年在白人社会中成长的艰辛,揭示当时社会黑人处境的艰难和内心的蜕化。
写论文过程中可能出现的问题有:参考资料不足,理论研究较为肤浅,论文容易出现分析不够的现象。
在规定时间内完成字数在3000到5000字以内的关于分析《看不见的人》中主人公的成长三部曲的论文。
阶段性主要工作的起止时间
1.准备工作2010.10.13起6.论文撰写2011.1月起
2.选题2010.10.30-11.157.完成初稿2011.3.15
3.资料收集2010.11.16-11.308.修改、定稿2011.4.26
4.开题报告2010.12.1-12.159.答辩2011.5月下旬
5.论文大纲2010.12.16-12.2010.其他工作2011.6月
学生完成论文最终时间:2011年4月26日
学生接受任务时间:2010年11月16日学生签名:
指导教师签名:
年月日
[关键词]开放教育本科 毕业论文 指导 策略
[中图分类号]G642.4 [文献标识码]A [文章编号]1009-5349(2012)02-0195-02
引言
根据开放教育本科英语(教育方向)教学计划的规定,学员在基本修完本专业规定的必修课和选修课后,进入以撰写毕业论文为主的集中实践环节。教学实践设计环节即毕业论文设计是开放教育本科英语专业教育方向的一个极为重要的环节。在本文中,笔者基于近五年的毕业论文指导实践基础,阐述了开放教育英语本科毕业论文的特点,分析了毕业论文写作中存在的问题和不足之处,并在此基础上提出了相应的对策与建议。
一、开放教育本科英语专业毕业论文的特点
开放教育本科英语教育专业学员所写的毕业论文除了学术性(scholarly)、创新性(original)、规范性(formal)这几个毕业论文的基本特征外,还应体现英语教育的职业性(professional)和过程性。
(一)毕业论文的设计应体现理论联系教育实践原则
所谓“学有所用”,学员毕业论文的选题要结合自己的课堂教学实践,真正解决本人在教学实践中遇到的客观存在的问题。毕业论文指导教师应就“教学行为研究”的基本要求和原则面向全体学员以讲座或课程的形式进行指导。整篇毕业论文至少要体现有四次教学研究记录或教学日记;要有一次课堂教学的录像或录音;要有原始调查问卷,或座谈的录音等,以保证教育教学这一职业性的凸显。
(二)毕业论文的设计应该体现过程性原则
整个毕业论文设计必须经过问题分析、方案设计、项目实施、项目评估和项目报告几个阶段。学员的研究必须针对其课堂中确确实实反映出的问题,方案的设计必须符合要求,实施阶段必须严格监控,保证有一个月的实施时间,指导教师对学生的研究要如实评估,项目报告,亦即论文必须符合论文的写作规范,要体现指导过程。整个设计环节由5个环节组成:
1.项目启动:指导教师可采用集体或分散等指导方式,介绍研究原则和研究方法,布置研究任务;
2.问题分析和方案设计:学员分析自己课堂教学中反映出的问题,设计问题解决方案;
3.项目实施:学员通过课堂教学具体实施方案;
4.项目评估:学员运用评估手段和方法,对项目的事实情况及结果进行评估;
5.项目报告:学员根据论文写作规范,用英文写出正文4000词左右的项目报告,同时提供项目实施过程中的所有原始材料。
在整个论文的写作过程中,项目启动是整个论文写作的理论基础;问题分析和方案设计确定论文研究方向;项目实施是论文实用价值体现的关键环节;项目评估是对论文学术价值的提炼;项目报告是对整个写作痕迹的保留。这五个环节环环相扣,缺一不可,相辅相成,层层递进。
二、撰写开放教育本科英语专业毕业论文存在的问题及其对策
毕业论文写作对于开放教育本科英语专业的学员来说非常具有挑战性,因为除了完成一般毕业论文所要完成的各个环节以外,英语专业的学生还需用英文进行毕业论文的写作。要想顺利完成英语专业毕业论文设计,学员要从论文的选题、时间安排及写作心态三方面同步着手。
(一)选题问题
开放教育学员本身写作水平不高(大多学员学历为中专),面对论文选题往往要么望而却步,要么求大求空,无法驾驭论文写作。要解决毕业论文选题难这个问题,在具体的毕业论文指导实践中,指导教师则需着力推进“两个兼容”原则。该原则有利于学员对自己的教学实践进行反思,并学以致用。
1.原则之一:教学实践和学术研究兼容。由于开放教育本科英语专业的学员大多数是中小学一线教师,有着相当丰富的教学经验,驾驭本专业与自己工作实践联系紧密的论文选题会相对来说容易得多。其次,学员对自己多年来的教学实践进行反思和思考,整理和提炼教学心得,再用于指导自己的教学实践,这样的论文很有实践性和指导性。最后要注意在强调联系教育实践的同时,也不能轻视了毕业论文的规范性,学员通过英文写作锻炼了英文写作技巧,同时也对论文写作的规范要求进行了写作实践。
2.原则之二:个人特长和实际情况兼容。学员进行毕业论文的选题时还要考虑自己的特长、综合知识水平、学术科研能力和客观条件。学员最好选择自身擅长并且有一定兴趣的题目。擅长能表现出学员对该论题有较深的认识思考及一定的实践经验,能降低写作难度,更充分地发挥个人的主观能动性,从而做到素材充实,个人见解深刻,针对性强。指导老师可帮助学生对历年的论文题目进行归类,然后就每一类给出具体实例,让学员亲身体验,和学员共同探讨,寻找自己感兴趣、熟悉或是能驾驭的题目。历年论文题目基本可划分为教学实践经验总结、学生心理研究、学科思想、学生非智力因素等方面。
(二)时间问题
由于开放教育本科英语专业学员大多为成人或在职中小学英语教师,工作负担沉重,家庭生活压力大,在完成工作任务和照顾好家庭之余用于论文写作的时间就非常有限,因此时间的合理安排和使用是毕业论文按期按质完成的重要保障。毕业论文的时间安排表如下:
从上表可以看出,在教学计划中留出用于毕业论文写作的时间本身就非常有限,且由于是安排在最后一个学期,面临毕业,论文已无延期上交的可能性,因学员自身不够重视或工作忙等原因最后只能选择放弃论文答辩的现象屡见不鲜。为改变这一无论是学员还是指导教师都不愿意看到的局面,笔者建议首先学员应当重视毕业论文的写作,毕竟三年所学,毕于所写。学员应当处理好学业与工作的关系,充分、高效地使用业余时间进行论文方案的实施及撰写,对写作过程中的困难要有充分的思想准备,耐得住寂寞,忍得下艰苦。其次,作为指导教师则应确实把握好论文写作的每个环节,运用E-Mail、手机等现代化联系方式,或告知学生可进行双向语音或视频联络的网址(例如雅虎通、QQ、MSN等)充分与学员进行有效沟通,指导到位,引导学员逐段完成论文,渐入佳境。按时间安排逐项完成各项写作任务还有赖于指导教师对学员的阶段性检查,定期检查学生的工作进度和质量。
(三)心态问题
学员积极的写作心态,是毕业论文顺利完成的重要保障。积极心态的创立离不开指导教师的培养和学员自身养成。
1.指导教师要为学员设置成功目标。在长达半年的毕业论文写作过程中,指导教师在学员因为这样或那样的困难导致论文写不下去时,应不厌其烦地进行鼓励。为了使毕业论文顺利完成这一远景目标变得不那么遥不可及,指导教师可以对远景目标进行分解,放在每一个写作阶段,逐一完成,使得远景目标的实现具备较强的可操作性。
2.学员对自己的论文写作应持积极心态。积极心态是一种对任何人、任何情况或任何环境所把持的正确、诚恳而且有建设性,同时也不违背法律、道德和人类权利的思想、行为或反映。积极心态有利于毕业论文的顺利完成。下图是柳州市广播电视大学2005-2011年部分毕业生毕业论文心理状况调查表,可以反映出由于持不同心态的毕业生参加毕业论文写作会产生的不同结果。
柳州市广播电视大学2005-2011年部分毕业生毕业论文心理状况调查表
上表显示的状况是不能令人放心的,这样的心态必然会引发教学、管理等方面的一系列问题。混学、浮学现象严重,缺勤、论文抄袭、拼凑等现象屡禁不绝。这些与上述消极心态有直接的关系。在艰辛的毕业论文创作过程中,学员应抱积极心态,把自己遇到的种种失败看成人生经历的宝贵财富。不论怎样,坚持下来,就是最大的胜利。在近五年的指导毕业论文的实践中,笔者发现具有积极心态的学员写作目标明确,动机强,遇到写作困难时善于动脑筋、想办法,写作进展速度快。而具有消极心态的学员在进行毕业论文的创作时,往往遇难而退;面对种种写作困难采取逃避或是蒙混过关的办法,其结果往往是论文不能按时上交,延期毕业。
三、结束语
综上所述,坚持“两个兼容”原则指导学员选题,合理安排论文撰写时间,帮助学生建立积极的撰写心态,能较好地体现电大开放教育培养“实用性、应用性”人才的办学宗旨,可以在一定程度上消除当前毕业论文写作的尴尬状况。毕业论文是一个极其艰辛的实施过程,只要学员合理安排好论文写作时间,保持积极的写作心态就能顺利完成毕业论文的写作,参加论文答辩,达到个人的学术研究高峰。
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产生是如何查阅,要对几个知名数据库了如指掌,如中国知网、万方、维普等。另外国外的数据库如Springer,非林格尔等,对于英文文献也是很有帮助的。另外文献的格式怎么写,也需要进行了解,给大家推荐一个快速复制参考文献格式的方法,即用百度学术。
一、关于阅读文献
通过看一些网上关于读文献的重要性和方法的文章我对这件事从态度上已经有了一个比较深刻的认识,但是从他口中说出来在让我在加深了以往认识的同时又多了些设身处地的感觉。
1.文献量要大,虽然我也知道,但是没有实际的感觉,按照他的说法就是要读研究领域内的几乎全部文章,至少也有几百篇。他举H师兄的例子,他花了一年半的时间读了上千篇文献,使他对这个领域非常了解,因此他成为了一个优秀的硕士,写文章非常厉害,现在是优秀的教师。可以说读文献阶段是非常辛苦和枯燥的,但又是无法跨越的,这里面恐怕蕴含着量变导致质变的原理了。>>推荐推荐《在毕业论文中导师的重要性》
2.对待文献的态度,为什么我总觉得我想研究的问题都有人研究过了?要想有所创新,在读文献的时候就一定要以批判的眼光去分析它的目的、方法、过程和结论,要时刻在想“是这样么”或是“这样对么”或是“能否用其他方法来解决”,所谓“不破不立”就是这个道理。尽信书不如无书,如果认为文献都是完美的,那么没有继续研究的必要了。虽然爱因斯坦说世界上99.9%的论文都是垃圾,他本人也只写过10篇论文,但是仍然要而且不得不采取渐进式创新的方法,就是在他人研究成果的基础上进行自己的研究。
语境对翻译的作用
The Function of Context in Translation
2. 毕业设计(论文)起止时间
2019年3月15日~2019年6月5日
3.毕业设计(论文)所需资料及原始数据(指导教师选定部分)
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2)Candy.Self-direction for Life-long Learning [M]. California: Jossey-Bass.1991.
3)Dickinson, L..Self-instruction in Language Learning [M]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.1987.
4)Holec, H. Autonomy and Foreign Language Learning [M], Oxford: Pergamon.1981.
5)Little, D. learner Autonomy 1: Definitions, Issues and Problems [M]. Dublin: Authentik.1991.
6)Littlewood, W. Autonomy: ‘an autonomy and a framework’ System [M].1996.
7)Nunan, D. ‘Designing and adapting materials to encourage learner autonomy’. In P.Benson&P.Voller (Eds) Autonomy and Independence in Language Learning [M]. London: Longman.1997.
8)O’Malley, J.M.and Chamot, A.V. Learning Strategies in Second Language Acquisition [M]. London: Macmillan.1990.
9)Vygotsky, L.S. Mind and Society: The Development of Higher Mental Processes [M]. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.1978.
10)Wenden, A. Learner Strategies for Learner Autonomy [J]. Great Britain: Prentice Hall.1998.
11)中华人民共和国教育部.普通高中英语课程标准(实验)[M]. 北京:人民教育出版社.2019.
12)叶军.如何发挥学生在英语学习中的主题作用. 中学外语教与学[J].2019.
13)谷莉.新课标引导下的一堂英语课. 中学外语教与学[J].2019
14) 何琳. 在新课标的体验下培养学生的英语自主学习能力[M].
15)文秋芳.英语学习策略论[M].上海:上海外语教育出版社.1995.
16)武和平.元认知及其与外语学习的关系[J].国外外语教学第二期.2019.
17)王立非.第二语言学习策略研究:问题与对策[J].外语教学第四期.2019.
18)英语课程标准研制组.普通高中英语课程标准(实验)解读[M].江苏:江苏教育出版社.2019.
19)刘润清.胡壮麟.外语教学中的科研方法[M].北京:北京外语教学与研究出版社.1999.
4.毕业设计(论文)应完成的主要内容
培养学生的英语自主学习能力的策略:从自主学习的定义,理论基础以及学习策略的概念及其种类来判定我国中学阶段自主学习能力的缺乏,进而提出如何培养学生的英语自主学习能力。
1)自主学习的定义:自主学习是一种学习者在总体教学目标的宏观调控下,在教师的指导下,根据自身条件和需要自由地选择学习目标、学习内容、学习方法并通过自我调控的学习活动完成具体学习目标的学习模式。
2)自主学习的理论基础:以构建主义学习理论、人本主义学习理论和社会互动理论为指导。
3)学习策略的定义:是指在学习情境中,学习者对学习任务的认识,对学习方法的调用和对学习过程的调控。对学习者来讲,学习策略是学习执行的监控系统。
4)学习策略的类别:认知策略和元认知策略等。
5)培养学生的英语自主学习能力的策略:从学生和老师两方面提出一些有效的策略。
5.毕业设计(论文)的目标及具体要求
1)通过查阅与本课题有关的文献资料,撰写文献综述,从而对本课题的当前研究情况有较为深入的了解,为论文的撰写做好准备;
2)拟订粗线条的论文大纲,指导教师认可后撰写详细的论文大纲;
3)文献综述和论文大纲获得指导教师的认可后,开始准备开题报告;
4)按外国语学院统一安排的时间,参加开题报告答辩;
5)开题报告获得通过后,进入论文的写作阶段。在论文的写作阶段要保持与指导教师的经常性联系,并且定期向指导教师汇报论文的写作情况及进展;
6)按时提交论文的初稿和修改稿,并做好论文答辩的准备;
7)通过完成上述各项任务,对学术论文的写作形成更加深刻的认识。
6.完成毕业设计(论文)所需的条件及上机时数要求
1).利用一定数量的与本论文有关的中英文资料
2).在校内图书馆,校外图书馆查阅大量相关的资料
3).至少200小时的上机时间
学院(系) 外国语学院 专业 英语 班级 英语本科
学生姓名 XXXX 指导教师/职称
任务书批准日期 年 月 日 教研室(系)主任(签字)
任务书下达日期 年 月 日 指导教师(签字)
完成任务日期 年 月 日 学生(签名)
英语毕业论文开题报告
题 目 名 称: 语境对翻译的作用
题 目 类 别: 毕业论文
学 院(系): 外国语学院
专 业 班 级:
学 生 姓 名:
指 导 教 师:
评 阅 教 师:
开题报告日期:
毕业设计(论文)开题报告
The Function of Context in Translation
语境对翻译的作用
一、题目来源
其他,专题研究
二、研究目的和意义
随着我国的教育改革,素质教育始终是一个热门话题。《基础教育阶段新英语课程标准》明确指出,培养学生的自主学习能力是素质教育的一个重要方面。但是,在实际的中学英语教学中,大多数同学缺乏自主学习能力,没有有效的自主学习策略,本文通过对自主学习的研究,提出一些有效的英语自主学习的策略,使学生从被动的接受知识转为主动去学习知识,从而做到真正的会自主学习。
三、阅读的主要参考文献及资料名称
[1] Benson, P. and Voller, P.Autonomy and Independence in Language Learning [M].London: Longman.1997,
[2] Breen, M.P .and Mann, S. Shooting arrows at the sun: perspectives on pedagogy for autonomy. In P.Benson and P.Voller (Eds) Autonomy and Independence in Language Learning [M]. London: Longman. 1997.
[3] Boud, D. (ED.).Developing Students Autonomy in Learning [M]. London: Kogan.1988.
[4] Candy.Self-direction for Life-long Learning [M]. California: Jossey-Bass.1981.
[5] Dickinson, L. Self-instruction in Language Learning [M]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.1987.
[6] Gardner and Miller. (Eds.).Tasks for Independent Language Learning [M].
Alexandria. 1996.
[7] Holec, H. Autonomy and Foreign Language Learning [M], Oxford: Pergamon.1981.
[8] Jones.Strategic teaching and learning: cognitive instruction in the content areas [M]. Alexandria, VA: Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.1987.
[9] Nunan, D. ‘Designing and adapting materials to encourage learner autonomy’. In P.Benson&P.Voller (eds) Autonomy and Independence in Language Learning [M]. London: Longman.1997.
[10] O’Malley, J.M.and Chamot, A.V. Learning Strategies in Second Language
Acquisition [M]. London: Macmillan.1990.
[11] Sinclair, B. “Learner autonomy: the next phase” In Sinclair, B.et al. (eds).Learner Autonomy, teacher Autonomy: Future Directions [M]. London: Longman.2019.
[12] Voller, P. Does the teacher has a role in autonomous learning? In P.Benson and P.Voler (eds) Autonomy and Independence in Language Learning [J].1997.London: Longman, 98-113.
[13] Vygotsky, L.S.Mind and Society: The Development of Higher Mental Processes [M]. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.1978.
[14] Wenden, A. Learner Strategies for Learner Autonomy: Planning and Implementing Learner Training for Language Learners [M], Hertfordshire, UK:
Pretice Hall International.1991.
[15] Wenden, A. Learner Strategies for Autonomous Learning [J]. 1998.Great Britain:
Prentice Hall.xi:347
[16] Wenden.A.In cooperating learner training in the classroom. In A.Wenden
and J.rubin (Eds.) Learner strategies in language learning [J],159-68. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: prentice-Hall.1987.
[17] 文秋芳.英语学习策略论[M].上海:上海外语教育出版社.1995.
[18] 武和平.元认知及其与外语学习的关系[J].国外外语教学[J]第二期.2019.
[19] 王立非.第二语言学习策略研究:问题与对策[J].国外外语教学第四期.2019.
[20] 英语课程标准研制组.普通高中英语课程标准(实验)解读[M].江苏:江苏教育出版社.2019.
[21] 刘润清,胡壮麟.外语教学中的科研方法[M].北京:北京外语教学与研究出版社.1999.
四、国内外现状和发展趋势与研究的主攻方向
1.国内外现状和发展趋势
自主学习,又称自我调节的学习,一般是指学习者自觉确定学习目标、选择学习方法、监控学习过程、评价学习结果的过程。从20世纪50年代开始,自主学习成为教育心理学研究的一个重要课题。维果斯基学派、操作主义、现象学派、社会认知学派、意志理论、信息加工心理学等都从不同角度对自主学习作过一些探讨。对此,20世纪80年代末出版的《自主学习和学习成绩:理论、研究和实践》一书已作过系统总结。20世纪90年代以后,国外对自主学习问题的研究更加广泛、深入,尤其在自主学习的实质、机制、自主学习与学习成绩的关系、自主学习能力的获得等基本问题上都取得了重大进展。随着我过的教育改革,素质教育是一个热门话题。《基础教育阶段新英语课程标准》明确指出,培养学生的自主学习能力是素质教育的一个重要方面。因此,越来越多的学者开始研究培养学生的自主学习能力。
2.研究的主攻方向
自主学习理论是在人本主义心理学、认知心理学以及认知语言学等的基础上发展起来的,自主学习是一种主动的、发现的、合作的学习方式。发挥学生的主体意识和创造能力,是学生成为真正的学习的主人。但是,在我国现阶段中学英语教学过程中,大多数老师和同学都缺乏自主学习的意识,没有有效的自主学习策略,本文旨在提出一些有效的培养学生英语自主学习能力的策略,帮助学生掌握一定的自主学习策略,提高学生自主学习的能力,为终身学习打下良好的基础。
五、主要研究内容、需重点研究的关键问题及解决思路
1.主要研究内容
1)自主学习的定义及理论基础;
2)学习策略的概念及其类别;
3)通过对我国中学阶段自主学习能力的分析,提出一些有效的英语自主学习的策略。
2.重点研究的关键问题和解决思路
我国在新课程改革以来,大力提倡学生从被动、依赖的学习方式转变为主动、积极的学习方式。本论文旨在通过对自主学习的定义及其理论基础进行说明,针对当前我国中学阶段学生自主学习能力方面存在的问题,提出一些有效的培养学生自主学习能力策略。
六、完成毕业论文所必须具备的工作条件及解决的办法
1.所需工作条件:
1)搜集大量相关的中英文资料,寻找类似课题的论文作为样本借鉴;
2)利用网络查询课题研究的国内外信息,了解课题的研究成果及发展趋势;
3)要求有先进的文件检索系统及完备的计算机打印设备。
2.解决办法:
1)充分利用校内外图书馆、资料室查找所需资料;
2)利用中国期刊网,下载CAJview5.5浏览器查找相关论文;
3)运用Microsoft Word 撰写、编辑、排版论文;
4)通过学校机房及打印室完成论文的打印和装订。
七、工作的主要阶段、进度与时间安排
1. 2019年12月20日确定论文题目.
2. 2019年12月20-31日前查找资料,阅读文献,翻译文献资料,撰写文献综述,拟定写作大纲。
3. 2019年1月5-10日开题报告,做好开题准备。
4. 2019年4月1日前完成初稿,并让指导老师提出指导意见.
5. 2019年5月20日前结合指导老师意见认真修改论文.
6. 2019年6月7日前定稿,打印上交,准备论文答辩。
八、指导教师审查意见
同意开题。
附件大学英语毕业设计(论文)课题申报、审核表
关键词:英语专业本科生;毕业论文质量现状;影响因素
中图分类号:G642.0 文献标志码:A 文章编号:1674-9324(2015)45-0060-02
高等学校本科毕业论文(设计)的写作是大学本科教育的必要环节。《高等学校英语专业英语教学大纲》指出,“毕业论文是考察学生综合能力、评估学业成绩的一个重要方式”(张纪英,2006)。本文以新疆塔里木大学为例,对英语专业本科生毕业论文质量现状进行调查研究。
一、研究对象
本文选取新疆塔里木大学英语专业四年级民汉族学生共134人,其中民族学生70人,汉族学生64人为调查对象。同时选取10名毕业论文指导教师进行访谈。
二、研究方法
1.资料法:对随机抽取的50名学生的毕业论文进行分析,其中民汉学生各25名。分析的内容涉及论文写作结构;写作技巧;文献资料的编写与引用等。除此之外,为了把握学生的毕业论文选题动态,本研究搜集并整理168篇论文题目。
2.问卷调查法:问卷涉及四部分内容,包括有关英语专业毕业论文写作的要求和课程安排;学生毕业论文撰写过程;有关学生对其毕业论文写作的反馈与评价。问卷发放134份,收回130份,回收率为97%。
3.访谈法:访谈内容主要包括所在学校对英语专业学生的毕业论文有无具体规定;学生的毕业论文是否符合高等教育英语专业教学大纲的相关要求与规定;英语专业毕业论文存在的问题、原因以及解决这些的问题的建议等,并对整个访谈整个过程进行笔录。
三、结果与分析
1.英语专业毕业论文写作现状。①毕业论文结构松散且不完整,通过对所搜集的50名学生的论文分析发现:尽管所收集到的论文都包含开头、主体与结尾,但论文的结构仍显松散且不完整。首先,就论文结构的完整性而言。塔里木大学英语专业大多数毕业生的论文缺少文献综述与研究方法的陈述,除前言和结论之外,大多数论文仅有两部分内容,其中民族学生毕业论文所占比例为98%,汉族学生毕业论文占80%以上。其次,论文结构显松散。在对50名毕业生论文的分析中发现,有18名汉族学生、22名民族学生,即分别为72%的汉族毕业生的论文和88%的民族毕业生的论文缺乏严密的逻辑论证与具有说服力的观点。②论文选题分布不均衡,本研究搜集并整理塔里木大学两届毕业生168篇论文题目,研究发现:尽管英语专业学生有以上五个研究领域可供选择,但学生的选题较为集中,选题分布在每一个研究领域显得很不均衡。比如民族学生论文选题较多集中在语言和应用研究方面,分别占比例为33.7%和45.7%。其次分别是翻译、国际与文学研究,其中文学领域的选题最少,仅占2.2%;汉族学生论文选题多集中于应用研究,占44.7%。其次是国际与文学研究领域,分别18.4%与18.4%,比例相当。最后是语言与翻译研究,尤其是翻译研究最少,仅占5.2%。③写作文体不正式,首先,民汉学生的毕业论文中口语化措辞、表达以及省略形式的使用比较普遍。例如:“Discourse analysis has a lot of methods.”。而且,通过对50名民汉民汉毕业生论文的分析发现,主观性表述与非正式表达较为普遍,例如,“The author calculated and analyzed the data from 40 English major students...”,“下面我把文章的写作思路简单陈述一下.....”等。除此之外,论文中出现歧视色彩的语言,尤其是性别歧视。例如,“As a student learns to read more critically,he usually...”,④忽视写作方法和技巧,研究发现,三分之一的学生不遵循大小写规范。如“Brief analysis on Gatsby’s idealism in The Great Gatsby”,“The Functions of brand names”等。其次是斜体的使用。研究发现,汉族学生经常在斜体使用上犯错误,比如一些学生的毕业论文在直接引用原著的某些内容时不使其斜体。而且,在提到书名、期刊名、剧本名等,汉族学生不会对其斜体或下划线,一些学生甚或直接用书名号代替,比如“in the drama《Hamlet》”。与此同时,论文中存在诸多语法和拼写错误,比如汉族学生经常会把“born”写成“borne”,“knowledgeable”写成“knowledgable”,“由于缺少真时的语言环境”等。语法错误的例子更不计其数,如“BY comparing the difference of the table etiquette between China ans Japan,to realized the difference of diet concept,diet culture,and from this to discover...”;“本文主要通过少数民族大学生英语听力现状,调查了造成这种现状的原因,主要从学生的角度提出了一些对策,旨在帮助这些学生消除听力障碍,提高听力水平”等。⑤文献资料的编写与引用不正确,毕业论文在引用和编写文献资料仍存在以下几个方面的问题。其一,一些学生在列举附加的参考文献很随意。按照论文写作规定,“如果参考文献中包括英语与汉语两种,则应将英文作者和中文作者分开排列。一般将英文作者(也可将中文作者)排在前面,并按其姓氏的字母顺序排列;中文作者按姓氏的汉语拼音字母顺序排列”(张纪英,2006)。其二,参考文献中出现拼写错误,比如作者姓名、期刊或书籍的名称。譬如Scollon,R&L.Philip. Multimodal Discourse Analysis as the Confluence of Discourse and Techology[M]. Washington,DC,Georgetown University Press,2004.其三,一些学生文内引用文献时不标注出处。其四,还有一些学生在参考文献编写时不注意标点符号的使用,常出现中文输入法状态的“,”与“。”等。
2.毕业论文写作质量影响因素。①论文写作指导与监督不力,据调查,论文写作指导课程把论文写作范式、结构与选题作为指导的重点,在论文的语言、具体的论文范文的讲解与文献资料的编写方面给予的关注较少。同时,据了解,大多数学生把希望寄托于指导老师,然而由于指导老师数量有限,教学任务繁重,因此对论文写作进行系统的指导与监督无法得到保证。②可供参考的文献资料有限,网络、图书馆与数据库成为民汉学生论文写作资料的主要来源,其中占民族学生人数比例分别为34%、28%与25%;占汉族学生人数比例分别为34.4%、26.8%与24.1%。除此之外,民汉学生中分别有1.5%的民族学生与2.6%的汉族学生自己购买可供参考书籍。少量学生选择向指导老师与同学借阅资料,其中民族学生所占比例分别为3%与2.5%;汉族学生占比例分别为1.6%与1.6%。③学生英语水平有限、且写作态度消极,据调查,约33.3%的民汉学生认为毕业论文对检测四年大学学习质量有重要作用,51.6%的学生认为毕业论文是反映其专业学习整体水平的重要方式。12.9%的学生认为撰写毕业论文很有必要,2.2%的学生认为没有必要撰写毕业论文。整体而言,学生对撰写毕业论文的重要性的认识还不够,约六分之一,即17.7%的学生对毕业论文写作持有消极态度。④写作策略运用不恰当,据调查,民族学生中31.4%的学生是认真且独立撰写并完成论文写作;48.5%的学生借用网络或数据库的相关内容并进行相应的改述;2%的学生选择网上复制相关内容并粘贴在一起形成自己的毕业论文;汉族学生中56.2%的学生通过翻译、总结等方式改述相关文献资料撰写论文;40.6%的学生认真且独立撰写并完成论文写作;3%的学生从网上复制并粘贴形成毕业论文;其中民汉学生中均无找人。⑤论文写作投入精力不够、文字编辑能力不够熟练,毕业论文写作一般安排在大四的最后一学期,这也正是学生忙于找工作或准备研究生考试的阶段。调查显示,民汉学生中分别有约48.6%的学生与50%的学生把毕业论文写不好归结于时间和精力不足。除此之外,据调查,31.5&的学生认为他们不熟悉文字处理软件,从而给他们在论文的编辑的上带来了很多困难,诸如论文分页、目录编辑、全角输入和半角输入转化不熟练导致的标点符号错误等。
通过分析民汉学生的毕业论文发现,民汉学生毕业论文存在很多方面的问题。这个意义重大的教学环节却并没有受到普遍的重视,没能朝着不断进取,不断创新、不断发展的目标迈进,相反却是步履蹒跚,现状堪忧,毕业论文整体质量在走下坡路。因此,提高我校英语专业本科生毕业论文质量成为亟待解决的主要问题。
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