Abstract
It has been widely acknowledged that exemplification plays a very significant role in foreign language learning. Many studies have been conducted on dictionary examples, but little attention has been paid to how examples can assist a specific group of foreign learners engaged in a specific learning activity. The present study is intended to fill this gap by investigating how to optimize examples in English learners’ dictionaries to help Chinese learners with writing in English. The functional theory of lexicography will be employed in this study. This investigation will be carried out in two stages. The first one consists in identifying the lexicographic needs of foreign learners engaged in the task of English writing and consulting dictionary examples. The second stage is a demonstration of some proposals for exemplification in learners’ dictionaries through model articles. The purpose of this study is to give new insights into exemplification in learners’ dictionaries for future lexicographic research and practice.
Highlights
Examples have been viewed as a significant part in learners’ dictionaries since the early efforts of Michael West and A.S
It has been widely acknowledged that exemplification plays a very significant role in facilitating foreign language learning (Creamer 1987; Cowie 1989; Laufer 1992; Rundell 1999; Humblé 2001; Xu 2006)
The most salient variables shaping the profile of Chinese learners engaged in English writing are their mother tongue competence (L1), their English competence (L2), their learning contexts, and their world knowledge
Summary
Examples have been viewed as a significant part in learners’ dictionaries since the early efforts of Michael West and A.S. The most salient variables shaping the profile of Chinese learners engaged in English writing are their mother tongue competence (L1), their English competence (L2), their learning contexts, and their world knowledge These parameters characterize Chinese learners’ particular lexicographic needs for the information they expect to abstract from examples. The purpose of examining examples in the selected entries from the chosen dictionaries is two-fold: (1) to understand to what extent the present lexicographic practice can satisfy Chinese learners’ information needs and (2) to propose suggestions for possible improvements.
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