Table of Content

28 September 2015, Volume 15 Issue 09 Previous Issue    Next Issue

For Selected:

Download Citations EndNote Ris BibTeX

Toggle Thumbnails

Articles

Select

Foreign Language Classroom Research: Retrospect and Prospect XU Jinfen 2015, 15 (09):  1-6.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.001 Abstract ( 294 )   PDF (815KB) ( 118 )   From the nature and purpose of foreign language classroom research, this paper first retrospectively reviews the characteristics of foreign language classroom research, namely the method comparison research in the 1960s, the individualized teaching research in the 1970s, the individual learner factor research in the 1980s, and the classroom process research in the 1990s. It then discusses the research foci since the 21st century, such as the classroom interaction and focus-on-form teaching and introduces four main methods of foreign language classroom empirical research including the descriptive research, the experimental research, the ethnographic research, and the correlational research. Finally, it proposes prospects for the future foreign language classroom research from the macro and micro levels in order to provide a reference for researchers. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

The Holistic Appraisal Construction in Multimodal History Textbooks SHI Chunxu, WANG Zhenhua 2015, 15 (09):  8-13.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.002 Abstract ( 457 )   PDF (1583KB) ( 75 )   Following Martin and White’s (2005) appraisal theory on verbal-visual semiotics and in reference to Martin and Rose’s (2007) model on text-image relationship, the paper proposes a theoretical framework on multimodal appraisal and explore the influence of text-image relationship on holistic appraisal construction in the case study of multimodal historical textbooks. Based on statistical analysis, it is found that the text-image relations make inter-modal links and connect them as a comprehensive whole. The proper text-image relations may create synchrony rather than the reverse between verbal appraisal and image appraisal. In the discourse of multimodal historical textbooks, it is shown that expansion outnumbers projection in holistic appraisal construction and multimodal appraisal under different types of text-image relationship is probabilistically related to certain historical genres during the instantiation of evaluation. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Interactions in Linguistic and Multimodal Texts: A Case Study of Pride and Prejudice QU Tao 2015, 15 (09):  14-19.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.003 Abstract ( 377 )   PDF (727KB) ( 86 )   Interactions in linguistic text and multimodal text have long been respectively studied in linguistic field. However, comparative studies on the two kinds of texts are few. With the systemic functional approach, this research has compared a novel chapter with its corresponding film part in Pride and Prejudice, from the aspects of interaction type, degree and means. It is found that interactions between represented participants are similar between the two texts, but there are big differences in interactions between interactive participants and also between represented and interactive participants. This research helps better understand interactions in the two kinds of texts, and also contributes to resemioticization studies in which different semiotic resources are used to realize the same meaning. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

A Multimodal Stylistic Study on the Two Covers of Graham Rawle’s Woman’s World LEI Qian, ZHANG Delu 2015, 15 (09):  20-25.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.004 Abstract ( 349 )   PDF (1238KB) ( 126 )   The cover of a novel is itself a multimodal meaning integration of verbal mode, image, typography, layout and color, and it is also integrated with the meaning of the content of the novel. In the present study, two versions of the covers of modern British writer Graham Rawle’s Woman’s World are chosen as research objects, and on the basis of the multimodal stylistic framework of Zhang Delu (2012), a new approach to analyze multimodal covers is proposed by adding some new modes, such as typography, layout and color to it. By employing this approach, the multimodal stylistic features and the meaning realizations of the two covers, the inter-semiotic relations of the covers and the integration of the covers and the content of the novel are comparatively studied. The results show that the cover of the 2008 version can more appropriately convey the deep experiential meaning and interpersonal meaning of the novel to readers and fulfill its function. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

On the Assessment Framework for Chinese College Students’ Multiliteracies in Foreign Languages LIU Rui, ZHANG Del 2015, 15 (09):  26-31.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.005 Abstract ( 363 )   PDF (1183KB) ( 73 )   The assessment of learners is an important part of classroom teaching. On the basis of the research on multiliteracies assessment, the goal of fostering qualified Chinese foreign language personnel and the components of muliliteracies, this article proposes an assessment framework for Chinese college students’ multiliteracies in foreign languages. The assessment of multiliteracies in foreign languages can be done by designing tasks concerned, observing students’ performances and adopting multiple assessment methods in a particular context. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

A Cognitive Pragmatic Approach to Referential Ambiguity in Advertisements: A Case Study of Car Ads SHEN Xingchen, CHEN Xinren 2015, 15 (09):  33-38.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.006 Abstract ( 447 )   PDF (1066KB) ( 126 )   This study adopts a pragma-cognitive approach to referential ambiguity as found in car advertisements. Drawing on Blending Theory (BT) and Relevance Theory (RT), we establish a pragma-cognitive analytical framework for utterance interpretation in communicative context. Within the framework, we depict the procedure of advertisement interpretation as follows: first, the audience of the advertisements construct two input spaces, namely “car” space and “person/car-owner” space, based on the ostensive stimulus (i.e. the language of the advertisements), the immediate context, and related cognitive models stored in long-term memory; then, they will map the content in the input spaces onto the blended space, namely “person-car” space; as a result, they finally acquire a set of weak implicatures and poetic effects intended by the advertisers to help to achieve their communicative goal, that is, to persuade the audience to buy a particular brand of car. We also find that car advertisers choose to emphasize different features depending on the car type, and the identity and need of the potential customers in order to achieve different poetic effects. The study indicates the explanatory power of the pragma-cognitive framework we build for the interpretation of utterances in context and supports the adequate operability and compatibility of integrating RT and BT. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Diachronic Changes of Discourse and Identity Construction: A Historical Sociopragmatic Perspective WANG Xueyu 2015, 15 (09):  39-43.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.007 Abstract ( 435 )   PDF (860KB) ( 91 )   Historical socio-pragmatic scholars emphasize the following relation between discourse, interlocutors’ identities and historical socio-context: interlocutors’ identities are constructed discursively, and both identity construction and discursive strategies are constrained by historical socio-context and changes with the contextual development. Based on such a view, the present study attempts to conduct a diachronic analysis of advertisers’ identity construction from the 1980s to the 2000s, focusing on the diachronic changes of identity types and discursive strategies. Besides, the paper illustrates the context sensitivity of identity construction through the analysis of the influence of social cultures and values on identity construction. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Socio-psychological Mechanism Underlying Misleading Vague Language in Advertisements: A Critical Pragmatic Analysis QIAN Yonghong 2015, 15 (09):  44-48.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.008 Abstract ( 396 )   PDF (889KB) ( 146 )   Previous studies of advertisements revealed the potentially misleading or deceptive effect of vague language used in advertisements, but failed to explore the socio-psychological mechanism behind the use of misleading or deceptive vague discourse. In view of this research gap, the present study, adopting the methods of audience survey and interview, aims to investigate the socio-psychological factors adapted to by advertisers in the use of misleading vague discourse within the framework of critical pragmatics. The analysis shows that TV shopping advertisers tend to focus on prospective customers’ psychological tendencies (such as blind belief in high technology and authority, pursuit of cheapness and novelty, crowd mentality, etc.) and adapt negatively to those mentalities in the use of vague discourses so as to mislead the customers into buying their products. This study could provide some reference for the government departments concerned in their supervision and management of the TV advertising programs. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Memetic Strategies in Micro-movie Advertisements WU Jue, YAO Yayan 2015, 15 (09):  49-51.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.009 Abstract ( 447 )   PDF (551KB) ( 120 )   The replication of a meme goes through such stages as assimilation, retention, expression and transmission. Some transmission strategies can help build a powerful meme. The replication and transmission of memes are also reflected in advertising. One of the factors that contribute to the success of the newly-emerged micro-movie advertisements, to some extent, is the use and transmission of powerful memes. In the micro-movie advertisements named “Sour, Sweet, Bitter and Spicy”, which are made to promote the sugar-free chewing gum of Extra®, there are three major strategies of transmitting the powerful memes, namely the strategy of repetition, the strategy of emotional adaptation, and the strategy of cognitive dissonance. The use of these strategies helps people remember deeply some powerful memes in these micro-movie advertisements. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Pedagogical Content Knowledge for EFL Public Speaking FENG Ruimin 2015, 15 (09):  52-57.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.010 Abstract ( 379 )   PDF (956KB) ( 65 )   Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) has become a widely accepted academic construct. This study investigates the PCK of five EFL (English as a Foreign Language) public speaking teachers. Case study is used as the research method, and the data collection involves class observation, interviews, and documents. A PCK framework grounded in the data is developed for EFL public speaking teachers, which is composed of five core knowledge categories, namely, knowledge of curriculum, language, instruction, students and assessment. There are sets of discrete knowledge within each core knowledge category, which embodies the topic specificity of situated PCK. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

ELF: A New Research Topic in International Applied Linguistics MA Yan, LI Lisheng 2015, 15 (09):  58-64.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.011 Abstract ( 411 )   PDF (931KB) ( 75 )   With the growing globalization and regional cooperation, English has seen a widespread use in all sorts of settings and has become the common contact language among speakers of different linguacultural backgrounds. This has consequently both challenged and promoted English language teaching. Over the past 15 years or so English as a lingua franca (ELF) has become a popular and booming field that has attracted a great deal of attention and practices within English language education and applied linguistics. After a brief survey of the development of ELF, the current paper defines ELF and then introduces the major findings of research into the nature of ELF in terms of its domains and linguistic levels. The paper ends with some implications of ELF for English language teaching and learning in China. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Curriculum Design for Devloping English Majors’ Critical Thinking QIU Yimeng 2015, 15 (09):  65-69.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.012 Abstract ( 330 )   PDF (771KB) ( 78 )   References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

An Insight into Repair Initiation in L2 Teacher Discourse YAO Jianpeng 2015, 15 (09):  70-75.  DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2015.09.013 Abstract ( 309 )   PDF (733KB) ( 94 )   Repair initiation is an important phase in the speech self-repair mechanism in which the initiator sends the repair signal by linguistic and non-linguistic means to the interlocutor for him to repair the speech errors detected. The present paper discusses the teacher repair initiation in the teacher discourse in the L2 teacher-student interactive classroom context in the light of repair initiator, placement and technique and studies the features and the effects of the Chinese English teachers’ repair initiation in the like context based on the data collected. References | Related Articles | Metrics