Positive Language Transfer Of Chinese Thought Patterns In English Discourse

This thesis attempts to verify the positive transfer of the native language on the second language learning at the discourse level. Bearing the following questions in mind, the author explores the differences between Chinese and English discourse patterns, which are believed to reflect different thought patterns of the two languages.Question 1: What are the main differences between English and Chinese in discourse organization?Question 2: Which discourse patterns are used most frequently by Chinese users in their English writings?Question 3: Do Chinese discourse patterns transfer positively in the English writings of the advanced users?In order to answer the questions properly, the author expounds the relationship between language and thought, makes comparison of the differences between the Chinese thought patterns and the English ones. Thought patterns are formed in the long process of people's life and are difficult to change, therefore, the characteristics of discourse patterns of China English, formed under the influence of Chinese thought patterns, become inevitable and stable.Based on the relevant studies and theories, the author develops two hypotheses concerning the positive language transfer of Chinese thought patterns into English discourse. The English news and commentaries selected respectively from China Daily and Financial Times are collected for the analysis of the research. The methods employed in this study include both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Based on the analysis of the collected data, the two hypotheses are confirmed in this study.The thesis concludes that the traditional discourse patterns in Chinese are positively transferred into English writings by the Chinese users of higher proficiency which successfully blend the Standard English with unique Chinese characteristics.The findings can play an active part in pedagogical sense, helping Chinese learners better acquire English writing skills in text structure. Finally, some suggestions are put forward concerning the future study in this field.